SHAI-OSUDOKU BUDGET STAFF DEEPEN UNDERSTANDING OF RTI LAW
Staff of the Budget Unit of the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly have deepened their understanding of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), following a sensitisation programme organised to promote transparency, accountability and openness in the management of public affairs. The programme, held on Monday, 20th April 2026, was facilitated by the Assembly’s Right to Information Officer, Madam Felicia Hagan, who highlighted the importance of the law in empowering citizens to access information held by public institutions and participate meaningfully in governance.
Madam Hagan provided participants with an overview of Ghana’s RTI framework and explained the procedures for accessing information under Act 989. She noted that citizens could submit applications through the prescribed channels, including making an oral application in a language they understand, which would be recorded and processed in accordance with the law. Participants were also taken through the applicable response timelines and the review process available to applicants who are dissatisfied with decisions on their requests. She emphasised that the RTI law was an important instrument for promoting transparency, accountability and good governance.
The RTI Officer further stressed the critical role of Information Officers in facilitating citizens’ access to information and ensuring institutional compliance with the law. She urged staff to maintain accurate, complete and well-organised records to facilitate the timely retrieval of information when requested. Given the Budget Unit’s responsibility for financial planning, budgeting and expenditure reporting, Madam Hagan noted that effective records management and responsible information sharing were essential to strengthening openness and accountability in the use of public resources. She encouraged staff to uphold professionalism and confidentiality while ensuring that information requests were handled in accordance with the provisions of Act 989.
The sensitisation provided an interactive platform for participants to seek clarification and share concerns on the practical implementation of the RTI law. Madam Hagan reiterated that effective implementation of Act 989 would strengthen the relationship between public institutions and citizens by promoting openness, accountability and public confidence in governance. At the close of the programme, the Head of the Budget Unit expressed appreciation to the facilitator and participants for their active participation, noting that the knowledge acquired would enhance service delivery and contribute to greater accountability and public trust in the operations of the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly.
