PHILIPPINE’S FoI DELEGATION VISITS THE RIGHT TO INFORMATION COMMISSION OF GHANA
A delegation from the Philippines Freedom of Information (FoI) Secretariat made a significant working visit to the Right to Information (RTI) Commission of Ghana on 3rd October, 2024. The visit aimed to glean insights on the implementation of Ghana’s Right to Information law, exploring its challenges, opportunities and best practices to inform the drafting of the Philippines’ own RTI law.

The Head of delegation, Ms. Krizia Casey P. Avejar, emphasized the importance of this learning exchange, noting that the FoI Secretariat operates under an Executive Order from the Philippine government, which prioritizes public access to information even before an official RTI law is established. This proactive approach reflects the Philippine government’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq., Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission of Ghana, praised the Philippine government’s dedication to FoI initiatives despite the absence of a formal law. He remarked that it is rare for a government to demonstrate such commitment before legislation is enacted.

The RTI Commission’s management, including Stephen Owusu Esq., Head of Legal; Kofi Amoah Sarpong, Head of PPBME; Vincent Opoku, Head of Finance; Kate Swanzy, Board Secretary; Francis Wayem, Senior Manager, PPBME; and Elizabeth Segbefia, Manager, Enforcement, Investigation and Compliance (EIC) shared crucial insights into the challenges faced in Ghana, particularly issues related to bureaucratic resistance within certain institutions.

The Executive Secretary stressed on the necessity of establishing an Independent Body once the Philippine RTI law is passed to mitigate potential conflicts with other government agencies. He also detailed the organizational structure of the RTI Commission, highlighting the roles of various departments and the processes for dispute resolution, including the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms.

The visit underscores a collaborative spirit in the pursuit of transparency and the importance of learning from each other’s experiences in governance. As the Philippines moves forward with its RTI law, the insights gained from Ghana’s journey will be invaluable in crafting effective policies that promote access to information for all citizens.

Members of the Philippine’s delegation includes; Ms. Krizia Casey P. Avejar (Head of Delegation) Chief Communications and Capacity Development Division, Freedom of Management Office Information-Program (Presidential Communications Office); Ms. Hennesy D. Ozawa, (Project Development Officer II) – Compliance Monitoring Division, Freedom of Management Office Information-Program (Presidential Communications Office); Ms. Sabrina Anya A. Feliciano (Project Development Officer I) Compliance Monitoring Division, Freedom of Management Office Information-Program (Presidential Communications Office); Ms. Germie Ann Caber (Executive Assistant II), Office of the Assistant Secretary for Operations and Support (Presidential Communications Office) and Ms. Rainnie F. Emano (Administrative Officer I) Records Management Section (Presidential Communications Office)
