BIRIM CENTRAL RESIDENTS SENSITIZED ON RIGHT TO INFORMATION ACT THROUGH COMMUNITY OUTREACH CAMPAIGN

Residents of the Birim Central Municipality in the Eastern Region have been educated on the provisions of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) through a public education campaign organized by the Information Services Department. Conducted from June 8 to June 11, 2026, the outreach formed part of ongoing efforts to deepen public understanding of the law and promote citizen participation in governance. Using radio discussions and a mobile public address system mounted on a vehicle, the campaign reached various communities within the municipality, creating awareness of citizens’ constitutional right to access information held by public institutions.

The sensitization was led by the Municipal RTI Officer, Mr. Prince Gyamfi, who played a central role in educating residents on the practical application of the RTI Act and the procedures for requesting information. Participants were informed that the law empowers citizens to seek information on government projects, programmes, and activities, thereby strengthening accountability and public oversight. The Information Officer further explained that requests for information should be submitted to designated public institutions, where Information Officers are responsible for receiving and processing applications in accordance with the provisions of the Act.

During the campaign, residents were educated on the importance of the RTI Act in promoting transparency and good governance. The Information Officer emphasized that the law helps reduce corruption, encourages public accountability, enhances transparency in public administration, and combats misinformation and disinformation. By enabling citizens to access accurate and timely information, the Act fosters trust between public institutions and the communities they serve while empowering citizens to take an active interest in local development and decision-making processes.

The exercise was well received by community members, many of whom expressed appreciation for the initiative and called for similar educational programmes to be extended to other communities within the municipality. The positive response underscored the growing public interest in access to information and the vital role of community engagement in promoting awareness of the RTI Act. The successful campaign reaffirmed the importance of Information Officers as key facilitators of access to information and highlighted the RTI Act as a powerful tool for strengthening transparency, accountability, and democratic governance in Ghana.