In a significant effort to enhance transparency and accountability in public service, the Office of the Head of Civil Service (OHCS) hosted two educational sessions on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) on August 13 and 27, 2024. Led by the Information Officer, the sessions took place in the OHCS conference room and aimed to inform staff about their rights and responsibilities under the act.
Participants were familiarized with key provisions of the RTI Act, particularly Section 1(1), which affirms every individual’s right to request information from public institutions. The Information Officer emphasized the importance of balancing this right with considerations for public interest and national security.
The sessions also covered the procedures for processing RTI applications, highlighting that it is the duty of each institution’s information officer to process requests in a timely manner as outlined in Section 19. While written requests are generally required, the Act permits oral requests from individuals unable to write due to literacy or disabilities, promoting broader access to information.
Key discussions focused on the types of information exempt from disclosure. While the RTI Act promotes openness, certain information remains protected to ensure national security, law enforcement interests, and personal privacy are respected. Attendees were informed that public institutions are required to respond to requests within 14 days, with a possible extension of up to 7 days for complex inquiries.
By providing these sessions, the OHCS is taking an important step toward fostering a culture of transparency and accountability within public service, ultimately benefiting the community and enhancing the effectiveness of civil service operations.
