Fire and Safety Officers from the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Ashanti Regional Office participated in an important training session focused on the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) on July 10, 2024 . The event, organized by the RTI Officer of the Asokwa Municipal Assembly, aimed to empower officers with the skills and knowledge necessary to effectively leverage their right to access government-held information.
The training provided an in-depth exploration of the key elements of the RTI Act, including timelines for information access and the obligations of public institutions to promote transparency. The RTI Officer detailed the process for making formal information requests through a standardized application form, while also addressing the types of information safeguarded from public disclosure to protect sensitive data.
Interactive discussions were a significant part of the session, with Fire Officers actively engaging and seeking clarity on various provisions of the Act. DO I Amos Abban, the Regional Fire Accountant, raised a key question regarding the lack of requirement for applicants to justify their information requests. The RTI Officer emphasized that the law bestows citizens with the right to access information unconditionally, asserting that “it is our right to enjoy, and no one needs to convince someone to enjoy that right.†Similarly, DO II Nicholas Pokoo-Aikins, the Regional Operations Officer, inquired about the nuances of disclosing information that serves the public interest. The RTI Officer referenced Section 17 (1) of the RTI Act, which allows for such disclosure when the benefits outweigh any potential harm.
The training concluded with remarks from ACFO I Henry Giwah, the Regional Fire Commander, who praised the officers for their engagement and stressed GNFS’s commitment to upholding the tenets of the RTI Act. He highlighted the importance of this law in fostering a transparent and accountable public service, emphasizing its role in enabling officers to better serve and protect their communities. This sensitization initiative underscores a significant step towards enhancing the understanding and application of the Right to Information Act within the GNFS, ensuring that officers are well-equipped to navigate public information processes in their service to the community.
