AKYEMANSA DISTRICT ASSEMBLY STRENGTHENS RTI COMPLIANCE THROUGH STAFF SENSITIZATION
The Akyemansa District Assembly has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and good governance through a sensitization programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) for its Senior Staff. Held on June 17, 2026, the exercise sought to deepen participants’ understanding of the Act, strengthen institutional capacity for its effective implementation, and clarify the responsibilities of public officers in ensuring citizens’ right to access information held by public institutions.
During the session, participants were taken through the constitutional basis of the RTI Act under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and its role in promoting open governance. The Information Officer highlighted the importance of the Act in fostering a culture of openness within the public service and explained the responsibilities of Information Officers in facilitating access to information, managing requests, and supporting compliance with the law. Discussions covered the procedures for requesting information under Section 18, statutory response timelines, and the categories of information that may be exempt from disclosure, including matters relating to national security, personal privacy, and trade secrets.
The sensitization also emphasized the critical role of effective records management in ensuring timely access to information. Participants discussed the need for proper filing, digitization, and retrieval systems to enable public institutions to respond to requests within the legally prescribed period. The Information Officer further educated staff on offences and penalties under the Act, including liabilities associated with the wilful obstruction of access, destruction of records, or wrongful disclosure of protected information. Particular attention was given to the requirement for institutions to publish information manuals and designate Information Officers to facilitate public access to information.
Management and Senior Staff welcomed the initiative and expressed their commitment to strengthening compliance with the RTI Act. Among the key outcomes of the programme were plans to improve records management systems, proactively publish the Assembly’s information manual, and reinforce transparency across key functions such as land administration and revenue collection. The sensitization underscored the importance of the RTI Act as a tool for open governance, public trust, and improved service delivery, while highlighting the central role of Information Officers in ensuring that citizens can exercise their right to information and actively participate in local development.
