Month: September 2022

The Right to Information Commission of the Republic of Ghana has climaxed its RTI week celebration 2022 with a public lecture on 28th September, 2022 at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, Accra.

On the 8th September, 2022, the Right to Information Commission launched its RTI week celebration for the year 2022 and outlined activities that the Commission sought to undertake as part of its Right to Information week celebration climaxing it with a public lecture and that coincides with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) which is set aside by the United Nations to celebrate Access to Information across the globe.

This year’s IDUAI celebration is themed: “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance and Access to Information”. This is aimed at encouraging institutions and individuals to appreciate the use of technology to enhance easy access to information all in a bid to push for greater participation of the public in our governance system.

The Chairman for the Right to Information Commission, Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta in his opening remarks implored participants to make good use of technology despite the challenges one may face in adopting in to the technological world. He reiterated that IDUAI offers a befitting platform to join hands with the rest of the world, under auspices of the United Nations Organisation, to commemorate the right of access to information and admitted that, the theme for the celebration is very apt since it align the Commission’s thinking with the current trends of the technological era.

Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., who is the Executive Secretary of the Commission admonished that, the theme: ” Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance and Access to Information ” offers an opportunity for stakeholders of right to information to focus deliberations on dominant technological trend that affects every facet of life and thus, the Commission relied on the theme for its RTI week celebration for 2022.

Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., implored that Artificial Intelligence should be incorporated into school curricula to equip future generation since estimates suggest that, by 2065, 65% of children in primary school will work in positions that have not yet been created. He further indicated that, persons with disability are mostly disadvantaged. However, with the use of artificial intelligence, they stand to benefit greatly in the governance process.

The Executive Secretary concluded by saying AI is able to predict loopholes and also makes it easier to reduce errors and so, it is the mandate of public institutions to develop the necessary tools to assist the nation in e-governance.

The Deputy Minister for Attorney General and Justice, Hon. Diana Asonaba Dapaah, Mr. Charles Abani, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Ghana and Mr. Abdourahamane Diallo (UNESCO Ghana Representative) commended the RTI Commission for their great work even with limited resources. They equally pledged their support to the Commission in all they do.

Dr. Nafisa Mahama who represented the Minister of Information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah emphasised that the Ministry of Information recognises the support of all stakeholders in making sure that the implementation of the RTI law is smooth in Ghana.

On Monday, 26th September, 2022, the Right to Information Commission as part of its 2022 RTI week celebration hosted its stakeholders at office of the Commission situated at No.4 Osu Badu Link, Airport West Residential in Accra.

The purpose of hosting the stakeholders was to engage them on the “Implementation of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), the Challenges so far since the passage of the Right to Information law in 2019, Solutions to the challenges, Achievements of the Commission since the operationalisation of the RTI law, and the Way Forward.”

The chairman of the Commission, Justice K. A. Ofori-Atta in his welcoming address expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their numerous support in making sure the RTI law is being implemented smoothly and assured stakeholders to as well use the forum to spilt out whatever challenges they have encountered as part of exercising their right of access to information as well as some success stories worthy of sharing about the implementation of the RTI law.

The Executive Secretary of the Commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., on behalf of the Commission spelt out some of the achievements the Commission has chalked so far such as being able to sensitise most of the regions in Ghana on a zonal basis, the Commission embarking on institutional sensitisations, educating the public through radio and TV programmes, stakeholders engagements, RTI week celebration to create awareness among others. Mr. Boateng reiterated that the challenges of the Commission are numerous but the most paramount is funding. He said funding has been a constraints on the implementation processes.

As part of Monitoring, Enforcement and Compliance, the Executive Secretary indicated that the Commission has published Guidelines for the preparation of Information Manual and has distributed them also to the various institutions. He emphased that, to deepen the implementation of Act 989, the Commission is working fervently to put before Parliament a draft Legislative Instrument (L.I) for the further operationalisation of Act 989 among others.

Speaking to the applications received by the Commission in 2021, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., said the Commission received 31 applications for review from institutions and individuals. Out of the 31, the Commission has made 20 determinations, 7 he said has been settled and 4 have been withdrawn by the applicants.

Going forward, the Executive Secretary said the Commission will intensify its publicity, work towards the passing of its L. I among others.

There was a panel discussion to discuss the implementation of the RTI law and its related matters which featured the Executive Secretary of the Commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., Mr. David Oppon-Kusi, Board Member of the Commission, Dr. Nafisa Mahama (Access to Information Division), Patricia Adusei Poku (Data Protection Agency), Gloria Afia Ahiadze (Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association) and Abigail Larbi (Media Foundation for West Africa)

On Saturday, 17th September, 2022, the Right to Information Commission as part of its RTI week celebration for 2022 embarked on a health walk through the principal streets of Accra with placards educating the public on the right to information law. This was climaxed with health screening exercise and sports activities at the Odadeɛ Alumni center in Accra.

The health walk was held as part of the promotional activities the Commission is using to create awareness of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) and the RTI week celebration for 2022 which ends on 28th September, 2022 with a public lecture at Alisa Hotel.

Hundreds of Ghanaians including the Board chairman of RTIC and members of the RTI Commission, management and staff of the RTI Commission, staff of the Information Services Department (ISD), staff of the Information Ministry of Ghana,VRA ladies and well-versed Trainer Bea The Bully, among others were present.

The Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., speaking to the media indicated that, aside long life, good health is what will make every individual achieve his or her dreams. He said that “With good health, one can work as many hours as he desires to make wealth and also put food on their tables, one of the tools to acquire good health is by exercising which made the Commission include a health walk exercise as part of its activities to mark the 2022 RTI week celebration.”
The Executive Secretary used the opportunity to thank the sponsors who through their benevolence made the health walk and health screening successful.

A special thanks to all our sponsors.

On 8th September, 2022, The Right to Information Commission launched its Right to Information Week Celebration for the year 2022.

The Executive Secretary, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., in his address to the press indicated that the Board of the Right to Information Commission in 2021 instituted an annual RTI Week celebration decked with noteworthy activities.

In view of this, the Commission will mark its 2nd RTI Week with the following activities;

The 2022 RTI week celebration began with a Press Conference on 8th September, 2022 at the Commission’s office at Airport West Residential Area, Accra.

This will be followed by a Health Walk on Saturday, 17th September, through the principal streets of Accra and will be climaxed with Medical Screening exercise at the Odadeɛ Alumni and Mentorship Centre, Madina, Accra.
On 25th September, 2022 there will be a “What Do You Know” Quiz in the GTV Studios, Ring Road Central, Kanda, Accra.

On Monday, September 26, the Commission will hold a Stakeholder Conference at the Commission’s office, No.4 Osu Badu Link, Airport West Residential Area, Accra.

On Wednesday, 28th September, 2022 ,the Commission will conclude its week celebrations with a Public Forum at Alisa Hotel, North Ridge in Accra. This coincides with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), which is each year set aside by the United Nations to celebrate Access to Information across the globe.

The theme for this year’s IDUAI celebration is “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance, and Access to Information” which is aimed at encouraging institutions and individuals to appreciate the use of technology to enhance easy access to information all in a bid to push for greater participation of the public in our governance system.

The Chairman of the Commission, Justice K.A Ofori Atta launching the Right to Information Week celebration for 2022, admonished the media to aid in the education and promotion of the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) in order for the general public to be carried along in the smooth implementation of the Act.

Members of the Governing Board of the Commission were present at the press conference.