RTI OFFICER EDUCATES STUDENTS AND TEACHERS ON ACCESS TO INFORMATION AT KUKURANTUMI
The Right to Information (RTI) Officer has intensified efforts to promote awareness of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), through a sensitization programme held for staff and students of M/A Junior High School in Kukurantumi on May 8, 2026. The engagement formed part of ongoing community outreach initiatives aimed at empowering citizens with knowledge of their right to access information held by public institutions and encouraging active participation in governance.
During the session, the RTI Officer highlighted the history and significance of the RTI Act and explained how individuals and organizations can make requests for information in the custody of public institutions. Participants were taken through the procedures for applying for public records, the categories of information that can be accessed, response timelines that public institutions are required to observe, and the fees associated with information requests. The officer also emphasized that vulnerable groups, including indigent persons and persons with disabilities, are exempt from paying such fees under the law.
The programme underscored the critical role Information Officers play in bringing the RTI Act closer to communities through public education and engagement. By equipping young people and educators with practical knowledge of the law, the initiative promoted transparency, accountability, and informed citizenship. The use of both English and Twi ensured that participants fully understood the provisions of the Act and how they can exercise their right to information.
Participants expressed appreciation for the sensitization exercise and its relevance to both academic and civic life. Teachers appealed for more regular engagements to keep students informed about government initiatives and public policies, while students indicated their interest in utilizing the RTI Act during future research activities and sharing knowledge about the law with their families. The programme ended successfully with an interactive question-and-answer session, leaving participants satisfied and better informed about their rights under the RTI Act.
