KROWOR RTI OFFICER SENSITISES pentecost YOUTH ON RIGHT TO INFORMATION AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

The Krowor Municipal Assembly, through its Right to Information (RTI) Unit, has sensitised a youth group of the Pentecost Church of Ghana, James McKeown Assembly, at the Okpoigonnor Electoral Area on the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989). The sensitisation programme, held on Wednesday, 29th July 2026, was facilitated by the Municipal RTI Officer, Miss Edem Abla Afari, as part of efforts to deepen public understanding of the right to access information held by public institutions. The engagement sought to equip the youth with knowledge of their rights and responsibilities under the Act and encourage them to use credible public information to participate meaningfully in governance and community development.

Miss Afari explained that the RTI Act provides citizens with a legal framework to request and obtain information from public institutions, subject to the exemptions stipulated by law. She noted that access to timely and reliable public information enables citizens to better understand government policies, programmes and development initiatives, while also providing them with the opportunity to monitor the delivery of public services and contribute constructively to decision-making processes. She emphasised that Information Officers serve as an important link between public institutions and citizens by facilitating access to information and guiding applicants through the processes established under the law.

The RTI Officer also educated the participants on the practical procedures for accessing information, including how requests may be submitted, the responsibilities of public institutions and the timelines for responding to applications. She further explained the remedies available to applicants where information requests are refused or delayed, as well as the circumstances under which information may lawfully be withheld. An interactive session followed, during which the youth raised questions about accessing information from government institutions and the application of the law to everyday governance and community concerns. Miss Afari provided practical explanations and examples to enhance participants’ understanding of how the RTI framework can be used responsibly to promote transparency and accountability.

In her closing remarks, Miss Afari encouraged the youth to become ambassadors for the Right to Information by sharing the knowledge acquired with their peers, families and wider communities. She urged them to make lawful and responsible use of the Act to obtain information relevant to community development and to participate actively in initiatives that promote openness, accountability and good governance. The engagement highlighted the important role of the RTI Officer in empowering citizens with knowledge of their information rights and demonstrated how access to credible public information can support informed citizen participation and contribute to sustainable development within communities.