WEST AKIM MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY PROMOTES RTI AWARENESS AMONG STUDENTS IN ASAMANKESE
Students and teachers of Anglican Basic School in Asamankese have been sensitized on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and active citizenship among young people. Organized by the Information Services Department of the West Akim Municipal Assembly under the theme, “Information Is My Right,” the programme sought to educate participants on their constitutional right to access information from public institutions and the role of information in strengthening democratic governance and national development.
Facilitating the session, the Municipal RTI Officer, Mr. Enchill Daniel, highlighted the important role Information Officers play in helping citizens access information and understand their rights under the RTI Act. He guided participants through the historical background of the law, the procedures for submitting information requests, and the processes involved after an application has been made. He emphasized that the RTI Act is a vital tool for promoting open governance, as it empowers citizens to obtain information, hold public institutions accountable, and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes that affect their communities.
The sensitization programme featured an interactive discussion during which students and teachers asked questions about the practical application of the law. Addressing common misconceptions, Mr. Daniel explained that the right to request information is not limited to journalists and that applicants are generally not required to provide reasons for seeking information. Drawing on Sections 1(1) and 1(3) of the Act, he reiterated that every person has a legal right to access information held by public institutions, subject to the exemptions provided under the law. To encourage practical engagement, students were assigned a project to identify information requests they could submit to the Assembly, with the most outstanding applicant to be recognized at the end of the academic year.
Speaking at the event, the Municipal Information Officer, Madam Abigail Ofori Mantey, encouraged participants to take advantage of the services offered by the Information Services Department whenever they require information or guidance on RTI-related matters. She assured the school community of the department’s commitment to supporting the public in exercising their right to information. The programme underscored the importance of community engagement in promoting awareness of the RTI Act and demonstrated how educating young people on their information rights can contribute to building an informed citizenry, strengthening accountability, and advancing sustainable community development.
