Right To Information Commission Launches Annual RTI Week To Create Awareness

The Right to Information Commission (RTIC), has launched the ‘Right to Information Week’ (RTI Week) to create awareness on how the public can best exercise their Right to Information, under the Right to Information Act, 2019 (989).

The Commission has outlined a week-long program that is set to mark the RTI Week.

The celebration will be held between September 22, 2022, and September 28, 2022, which coincides with this year’s International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).

The second celebration since its launching in 2021 will be held under the theme “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance, and Access to Information.”

This, he noted, 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.

Speaking during a news conference in Accra on Thursday, the Executive Secretary of the commission, Yaw Sarpong Boateng said “the celebration is commencing with radio and television interviews to educate and enlighten the public on the right to Information law. A public forum will be held on the 28th of September 2022 at the Alisa Hotel, North Ridge, where invited guests and stakeholders will converge”.

Adding that “the activities will afford the Commission the opportunity to interact and engage with its stakeholders on how to strengthen the right of access to information”.

Among the dignitaries in attendance will be the President of the republic of the Ghana, Nana Addo- Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, the Minister of Information, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, members of the Diplomatic Corp, Minister of state, Heads of State Institutions, key State Institutions, Civils Society groups, members of the Press Corps and the public.

The Right to Information Act was passed by Parliament and assented to by the President on May 21, 2019.

It became fully operational on January 2, 2020.