The Ministry of information (MoI) is putting in place systems that will guarantee a successful implementation of the Right to Information (RTI) Law in Ghana while ensuring open governance and accountability at all levels.
This was in a statement by the Director for the Access to Information Division (ATID) at the Information Services Department of the Ministry of Information, Dr. Winnifred Nafisa Mahama at a two-day workshop dubbed “Enhancing Citizen Access to Information in Ghanaâ€, on Thursday 24th March, 2022 at the Tomreik Hotel, East Legon – Accra. The event, organised by the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) in collaboration with the DW Akademie, attracted stakeholders from government, media and citizen groups from three Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies to deliberate on how to improve access to information, particularly at Local Assemblies.
Dr. Mahama commended the Foundation’s endeavour over the years in championing issues related to RTI. Noting that through such efforts, the RTI law is gradually eroding the long-held belief among government and public officials that ‘confidentiality is the rule, and disclosure is the exception’. Conversely, the law is establishing a culture known as “transparency is the norm and secrecy is an exception in the working of public institutionsâ€, she added.
Dr. Mahama applauded the RTI Commission’s efforts thus far in setting the tone for compliance. Citing that the handling of cases brought before the Commission has considerably affirmed right of access granted by the RTI Act. Thus, the Government, through the Ministry of Information, continues to cooperate with the RTI Commission to ensure that the RTI Act is not hampered in any way.
“To further augment efforts to enhance access to information, the ATI Division of the Information Services Department (ISD) has been staffed with personnel who provide daily backend support to information officers across the country; providing support in processing applications, manual compilation, annual report writing and awareness creation among others†she added.
Dr. Mahama stressed government’s continued engagement on matters that will help enhance the rights of persons to access information.
