The Right to Information Commission, which was set up under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) with the mandate to Promote, Monitor, Protect and Enforce the Right to Information, launched its annual week celebration yesterday in Accra.
The Act promotes the Right that is granted to a person under Article 21(1)(f) of the 1992 Constitution and the provisions of Act 989.
It is aimed at making institutions more accountable, improve service delivery of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), and also encourage public participation in matters that concern them.
The weeklong celebration coincides with the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUA), which was set aside by the United Nations to be mark on 28th September, which commemorates global access to information. This will be the second event for Ghana since the inception of Act 989.
Addressing a news conference, the Executive Secretary of the RTI Commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng Esq, stated that the theme for this year’s celebration was “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance, and Access to Information.”
This, he said, was aimed at encouraging institutions and individuals to appreciate the use of technology to enhance easy access to information, all in a bid to press for greater participation of the public in our governance system.
The celebration would commence with radio and television interviews to educate and enlighten the public on the Right to Information Law, after which a public forum would be held on September 28, 2022 in Accra, where invited guests and stakeholders would converge.
The Week’s activities would afford the Commission the opportunity to interact and engage its stakeholders on how to strengthen the Right of access to information.
Among the dignitaries in attendance would be President Nana Addo Danquah Akuffo-Addo, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Minister for Information, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, members of the Diplomatic Corps, ministers of State, heads of State Institutions, key state institutions, Civil Society groups, and the general public.
