In a concerted effort to bolster transparency, open governance, and accountability within the agricultural sector, the Right to Information (RTI) Unit of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) organized a comprehensive awareness creation exercise for Information and Front Desk Officers and other stakeholders, coinciding with the 5-Day Agricultural Fair (AGRIFEST) prior to the National Farmers Day Celebration at the Efua Sutherland Children’s Park in Accra.
The exercise, which attracted a diverse group of stakeholders involved in the agricultural value chain, was a collaboration between MoFA’s RTI Unit and the Access to Information Division (ATID) of the Ministry of Information. The event underscored the importance of empowering public officials to effectively manage information requests under the RTI Act, which was enacted in 2019 and officially implemented in 2020.
Mr. Sosthenes Senanu Nyadroh, the Deputy Chief Information Officer who was the lead facilitator from ATID, emphasized the critical role public institutions play in ensuring accountability, stating, “As employees of the public, we must account for the resources we manage. The provisions of the RTI Act mandate that all information requests be handled promptly to avoid any implication of denial of access to the public.”
Participants were educated on how to navigate the RTI Act, including the responsibilities of applicants to clearly articulate their information needs. The facilitator highlighted that ambiguous or frivolous requests could hinder the process. Additionally, attendees were reminded of the categories of exempt information that cannot be disclosed, which is also a crucial aspect of fostering responsible information sharing.
Madam Bridget Mensah, the Deputy Chief Information Officer and Head of the Access to Information Division, expressed her gratitude to the participants for their engagement, urging them to disseminate knowledge about the RTI Act within their respective directorates. She added that, “Creating awareness is essential for building a culture of transparency and accountability.”
Mr. Gilbert X. Ampeh, Deputy Director for Finance and Administration Directorate of MoFA, reiterated the importance of adherence to the RTI Act and urged participants to pay close attention to the provisions of the Act to mitigate potential court cases and fines to save the Ministry from unnecessary legal entanglements. He celebrated the ministry’s status as one of the most responsive public institutions since the RTI Act’s implementation, according to The Fourth Estate. Mrs. Beatrice Oforiwa Addai-Deseh, the RTI Designate Officer for MoFA encouraged fellow participants to work diligently to lift the good name of the Ministry high.
In his closing remarks, Mr. Obed Mensah, the RTI Officer for the Ministry, urged the attendees to view the RTI Act as a tool for combating misinformation and fostering trust within the agricultural community. He clarified the role of information officers, stating, “We are not agents of scrutiny; we exist to facilitate access to information that is available and sanctioned by our institution.”
The exercise marked a significant step towards reinforcing transparent communication within Ghana’s agricultural value chain, ensuring stakeholders are equipped with the necessary knowledge to navigate the RTI landscape efficiently. As participants return to their respective roles, they carry a renewed commitment to uphold the principles of accountability and transparency delineated in the RTI Act.
