SODA R.T.I OFFICER SENSITIZE IT’S RESIDENTS ABOUT THE R.T.I ACT, 989 ON RITE FM.

SODA R.T.I OFFICER SENSITIZE IT’S RESIDENTS ABOUT THE R.T.I ACT, 989 ON RITE FM.

On the Morning Ride show, with the host Austin Ofori Addo and the Right to Information Officer (R.T.I.) Madam Felicia Hagan, educate the residents of Shai-Osudoku Distric about the Right to Information Law Act, 989, which serves to promote transparency and accountability by empowering Ghanaians to access information on central and local government as well as non-governmental organizations that are publicly funded.

The R.T.I. officer stated that the Act was passed by parliament in March 2019 and assented to by the President in May 2019. The implementation of the RTI Act began in 2022. She said, "R.T.I. officers have been deployed to all local governments as well as non-governmental organizations, which are publicly funded and it gives everyone (well-abled people and people with disabilities) the opportunity to seek information."

Madam Hagan explained that, while the RTI Act 989 grants citizens the right to access information, there are some exceptions. It prohibits the general public from receiving information from the president or vice president.

 Information pertaining to the Cabinet, Information pertaining to law enforcement and public safety, Information pertaining to international relations, Information pertaining to state security, Economic and any other interests, Economic Information on Third Parties, Tax Information, Internal Working Information of Public Institutions, Parliamentary Privilege, Fair Trial, Contempt of Court, Privileged Information, Disclosure of Personal Matters, and Disclosure for the Protection of Public Interest.

She clarified the distinction between the Right to Information Commission (RIC) and the Access to Information Division. The Right to Information Commission was established by parliament to promote, educate, and safeguard citizens' right to information, whereas the Access to Information Division is overseen by the Ministry of Information.

 It assists the RIC. in hiring and training officials to serve in all local governments as well as non-governmental organizations that are publicly sponsored around the country. The Access to Information Division is also the backbone of the R.T.I. officers in their operations.

She further stated that, "Every R.T.I. officer is required to release information requested within fourteen working days. If the information can’t be given out within the stipulated time, the officer must provide reasons for an extension. Likewise, information that needs an urgent response can be given out within 24 hours. Aside the exemption, R.T.I. officers don’t have the right to withhold any information been requested." 

She added that R.T.I. officers operate as an independent and non-partisan body, and every piece of information given is objective and factual. If someone requests information from any RTI officer and it is not given out, the person can fight the system by reporting first to the head of that institution; if the information is not given out, the person should complain to the Right to Information Commission. If action is still not taken, the person can finally take the issue to court in other to get the information.

She said that there is a reproduction cost in the process of retrieving the information. A picture cost GH₵ 3.50 to print; a photocopy of paper costs GH₵ 0.38; a computer copy (pen-drive, CD) costs GH₵ 2.90; a transcript costs GH₵ 1.28; and an audio recorder costs GH₵ 1.00. 

The law gives privilege to indigent people and People With Disability (PWD) not to pay any money in the process of accessing information. There are application forms available for all who are interested in requesting information at the various offices of all R.T.I. officers across the country. Oral transcription into text will be done for all interested parties who don’t know how to write. 

She concluded by ensuring all applicants that, the law is ready to defend them through out the process in requesting for information. They should also seek to study the R.T.I ACT, 989 on their own to gain deeper understanding.

 Applicants should be bold and not fearful when seeking for information. For the common good of the nation , all RTI officers have been trained to serve the interest of all applicant.

SOURCE:ISD(SODA)