RTI SENSITIZATION AT ABURI MOSQUE PROMOTES CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNANCE

As part of efforts to deepen public awareness of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), members of the Muslim community at Aburi Mosque participated in a sensitization programme on May 5, 2026. The community engagement initiative was designed to educate participants on their rights and responsibilities under the law and to promote greater understanding of the role access to information plays in fostering transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance.

During the sensitization exercise, the RTI Officer educated participants on the key provisions of the Act, including the procedures for requesting information from public institutions, statutory timelines for responses, and the avenues available for review and appeal when requests are denied. The officers emphasized their role in facilitating access to information, guiding applicants through the request process, and ensuring that public institutions comply with the requirements of the law. They noted that the RTI Act is a critical tool for empowering citizens to engage meaningfully in governance and hold public institutions accountable.

The session revealed a growing interest among participants in understanding their information rights, with many attendees indicating that they had little prior knowledge of the Act. Through interactive discussions and practical explanations, the RTI Officer helped clarify important aspects of the law and demonstrated how access to information can support informed decision-making and community development. Participants were encouraged to make use of the Act to obtain information that affects their lives and to actively contribute to governance processes within their communities.

Although time constraints limited more extensive discussions on certain provisions of the law, the programme was widely regarded as successful. Participants expressed appreciation for the initiative and called for similar educational engagements in the future. The sensitization underscored the importance of community outreach in advancing the objectives of the RTI Act and highlighted the vital role Information Officers play in building an informed citizenry, promoting open governance, and strengthening transparency and accountability at the local level.