Third-year Public Health Nursing trainees at the Korle-Bu Nursing Training College have been sensitized on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) as part of activities marking Constitution Day. The engagement, which brought together 142 Bachelor of Science Public Health Nursing students, formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen awareness of citizens’ rights under the RTI Law and promote transparency within public institutions.
The sensitization session was facilitated by the Right to Information Officer at the Ghana Health Service Headquarters, Kwasi Ampofo Fianko. During the hour-long presentation, he explained the constitutional foundation of the RTI Law and its relevance to healthcare delivery and public health practice. He noted that the law empowers citizens to access information held by public institutions while also outlining specific exemptions and limitations provided under the Act.
Mr. Fianko emphasized that the RTI Law is an essential tool for promoting open governance, accountability, and informed decision-making, particularly within the health sector. According to him, healthcare professionals benefit from the law not only as citizens but also as practitioners working within public institutions where transparency and access to information are critical to effective service delivery. He further used practical examples from the health sector to demonstrate how information requests can relate to areas such as public health data, administrative procedures, and healthcare services.
The trainees were reminded that although access to information is a constitutional right, it is subject to clearly defined legal limitations intended to protect sensitive information and the public interest. Participants also discussed the shared responsibility of citizens and institutions in promoting awareness and compliance with the RTI Law. The engagement reflects the continued commitment of the Ghana Health Service to strengthening public understanding and implementation of the RTI Act as a key pillar of transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in Ghana.
