A LOCAL EVENT REPORT

"The Evolution and Impact of the Right to Information (RTI)  ACT 989: Enhancing Journalistic Practices, Government Accountability, and Citizen Engagement in Ghana."

The establishment of Ghana's RTI (Right to Information) Commission and its nationwide outreach efforts under Act 989 signify a pivotal step towards fostering transparency and accountability within the country.

During the third MediaTalk at the African University College of Communications (AUCC) Auditorium in Adabraka yesterday, Stephen Owusu, the Head of Legal, Governance, Regulatory, and Research at the Right to Information Commission, addressed communication students. His focus was on 'The RTI Law: Implications, Provisions, and Limitations,' highlighting its crucial role in fostering transparency and accountability within government operations.


By actively engaging communities across Ghana, this initiative aims to raise awareness about citizens' rights to access information, empowering them to hold institutions accountable and participate more effectively in governance.Like in 1997 when the (University of ghana) testrd the bill by asking the Bank of Ghana (BOG) for information regarding a particular issue they wanted to have a look at and later be denied their request by the bank.

During the MediaTalk session at AUCC, Mr. Owusu stressed the core objectives of the RTI, emphasizing its pivotal role in promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen empowerment. He illustrated its impact through real-life cases, highlighting how it revealed crucial information and held authorities accountable. His emphasis on educating Ghanaians about the RTI provisions and effective usage was clear.

Mr. Owusu highlighted the RTI Commission's efforts to sensitize stakeholders across Ghana's regions and universities, including the University of Ghana and KNUST. He reiterated the importance of unhindered access to information, enabling informed decisions, governance participation, and officials' accountability.


While explaining the accessibility of the RTI bill to all, regardless of nationality or age, he highlighted the straightforward application process. However, he noted limitations in disclosing certain information, citing privacy, national security, and parliamentary privileges.

He discussed the appeal process for unsatisfied applicants, underlining the need to balance transparency while safeguarding national interests. Additionally, he clarified that although access to information is a right and free, processing costs such as photocopying or scanning are applicable to cover expenses.

Mr. Owusu clarified, "You cover the reproduction costs for requested information, regardless of your background."

The session proved to be an insightful forum for discussing crucial aspects of the law and its potential to enhance transparency and accountability in the country. It was an informative, educational, and interactive presentation, allowing participants to seek clarification through questions.


Participants departed with a richer comprehension of the multifaceted aspects of the Right to Information law, owing to Stephen Owusu's insightful dialogue. His presentation acted as a trigger for ongoing conversations on reinforcing and preserving this fundamental right within the African context.

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