On Thursday, February 27, 2025, staff and service personnel at the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA) Ashanti Regional Office attended a sensitization workshop on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, organized to deepen their understanding of the law. The workshop brought together RTI Officers from the Ashanti Regional Coordinating Council (ARCC), Oforikrom Municipal Assembly, Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, and Atwima Kwanwoma District Assembly. The session aimed to enhance the participant’s knowledge of the RTI Law (Act 988), emphasizing their critical roles in fostering transparency and accountability within the public sector.
Mr. Kwaku Owusu Agyei, RTI Officer for the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, provided an insightful explanation of the RTI law’s origins, drawing attention to its connection with Article 21(1)(f) of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. He underlined the importance of utilizing the RTI Law as a tool for promoting open governance, allowing citizens and non-citizens alike to access vital public information. Miss Janet Gaisie, RTI Officer for Atwima Nwabiagya, elaborated on the procedures for accessing information, explaining that citizens do not need to provide a reason for their requests. She noted, however, that if the request is urgent, the applicant must state the reason for the urgency.
The workshop also delved into the exemptions outlined in the RTI Act. Mr. Samuel Agyemang Duah, ARCC RTI Officer and team lead, led an in-depth discussion on sensitive information that may be withheld, including matters related to national security, public safety, and economic interests. However, Oforikrom RTI Officer Mr. Emmanuel Asare clarified that these exemptions are not absolute. He explained that information could still be disclosed if the benefits of disclosure outweigh any potential risks, emphasizing the importance of balancing transparency with responsible information management.
Concluding the workshop, Mr. Francis Fosu Kwakye urged RTI officers to ensure the widespread distribution of hard copies of the RTI Law to various institutions. He stressed that this would significantly enhance public access to information, thereby empowering citizens and improving decision-making processes. GEPA expressed its gratitude to the RTI Officers for their informative presentations and reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the RTI Law, furthering transparency and accountability within public service.
