On October 10, 2024, Right to Information (RTI) Officers from the Tano South Municipal Assembly took to the airwaves on High Radio, a station based in Bechem, to engage the public in a sensitization campaign about the RTI Law and its applications. The educational session aimed to inform the community about the significance of the RTI Act 989, which is grounded in Article 21 of Ghana’s 1992 Constitution. The RTI Act plays a crucial role in promoting participatory democracy by fostering accountability, transparency, and integrity in governance, making it a vital tool for citizens to actively engage with public institutions.
The RTI officers emphasized that access to information is a fundamental human right and stressed the process involved in exercising this right. During the session, they clarified that to access public information, individuals simply need to submit a formal request to the appropriate RTI office. The officers also provided detailed information on the application procedures and fees associated with information requests, ensuring that the community understood the legal framework and the practical steps required to make such requests.
A key feature of the sensitization event was the interactive engagement with listeners. The show encouraged members of the public to call in with their questions and concerns about the RTI Law and its real-life applications. This direct interaction allowed the community to receive personalized responses from the RTI officers, who took time to explain the nuances of the law, ensuring that citizens felt empowered and informed about their rights. The session helped to demystify the RTI process and provided clear guidance on how the public can access government-held information.
Through this radio outreach, the RTI officers not only educated the Tano South Municipality about their rights but also reinforced the importance of the RTI Law as a tool for open governance. The session highlighted how the law contributes to strengthening democratic practices and holding public officials accountable. By creating awareness and encouraging citizens to use the RTI system, the initiative paved the way for more engaged and informed citizens, ultimately enhancing the transparency and responsiveness of local governance in the region.
