KROWOR MUNICIPAL ASSEMBLY EMPOWERS WOMEN WITH KNOWLEDGE OF THE RTI ACT
The Krowor Municipal Assembly has strengthened its efforts to promote open governance and citizen empowerment through a sensitization programme on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), held at the Life Worship Center in Nungua. The engagement, facilitated by the Assembly’s RTI Officer, Miss Edem Abla Afari, brought together women from the Blekese West Electoral Area who were participating in a community skills training programme. The initiative formed part of a broader strategy to extend public education on the RTI Act to grassroots communities and encourage active civic participation.
Addressing the participants, Miss Afari explained that the RTI Act gives every Ghanaian the legal right to access information held by public institutions. She noted that while access to information is essential for transparency and accountability, many citizens are still unaware of the opportunities the law provides. She emphasized the important role Information Officers play in bridging this knowledge gap by educating the public, guiding applicants through the information request process, and promoting awareness of citizens’ rights under the Act.
The session highlighted the significance of the RTI Act as a tool for empowering communities to engage meaningfully with public institutions. Participants learned how access to information can help citizens monitor public service delivery, seek answers on development projects, and make informed decisions on issues affecting their livelihoods. The RTI Officer encouraged the women to use the law to engage authorities on matters such as healthcare, education, sanitation, social welfare, and local governance, thereby contributing to more transparent and responsive public administration.
To enhance understanding, the women were taken through the practical procedures for submitting information requests, including identifying the appropriate institution, drafting requests, understanding response timelines, and seeking redress when requests are delayed or denied. The role of the RTI Commission in ensuring compliance with the law was also explained. Through relatable community examples and real-life scenarios, participants gained a clearer appreciation of how the Act can be applied to address everyday concerns within their communities.
The programme concluded with an interactive discussion during which participants raised questions about application fees, bureaucratic challenges, and protections available to citizens seeking information. The enthusiastic participation reflected a growing interest in civic engagement and accountability. By bringing the RTI Act directly to community members, the Krowor Municipal Assembly and its Information Officer demonstrated the critical role of public education in strengthening democratic governance, fostering transparency, and empowering citizens to actively contribute to sustainable community development.
