The Right to Information Commission (RTIC) yesterday launched its ‘Right to Information (RTI) Week’ celebrations targeted at increasing awareness on the RTI law.
The RTI ACT 2019 (989) was passed by parliament and assented to by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on May 21, 2019.
It guarantees the general public access to information from public institutions and relevant private bodies to promote a culture of accountability and transparency.
Outlining activities lined up for the celebrations, Executive Secretary of RTIC Ghana, Mr Yaw Sarpong, who was speaking at the launch said various public and media engagements would be held to further create awareness about activities of his outfit.
He noted that the activities would also afford the opportunity to interact and engage with stakeholders on how to further strengthen the right of access to information in the country.
He revealed that President Akufo-Addo, Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Dame, some representatives of the United Nations (UN), Civil Society groups and other key state institutions were expected to participate in the celebration.
Mr Boateng assured that the right to information was something his outfit did not take for granted, adding that it behooved on institutions and all relevant bodies to make it a point to volunteer information to persons or organisations that make a demand for such, to ensure no one’s right was being infringed upon.
“It is important for relevant institutions and members of the public to collaborate peacefully to make this work successfully. We have been mandated to protect and enforce the right to information that is granted a person in the constitution and that is exactly what this commission will focus on achieving successfully with everybody’s support,” he added.
Launching it, the Board Chairman of the RTIC, Justice K.A Ofori Atta indicated that the theme for the celebrations “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance and Access to Information” was aimed at encouraging institutions and individuals to appreciate the use of technology in enhancing easy access to information in a bid to press for greater participation of the public and the governance system.
He stated that activities of the programme were scheduled to end on September 28, as the day coincided with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
BY RAISSA SAMBOU
