Information Ministry Opens Right To Information Commission Head Office
Report by: Magdalene Duncan
The Minister for Information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah has officially launched the Right to Information Commission head office in Accra.
The Right to Information Commission was established under section 40 of the Right to Information Act,2019(Act 989 with the main objective of promoting monitoring, protecting and enforcing the right to information that is granted to a person under paragraph (f) of clause(1) of Article 21 of the constitution and the provision of Act 989.
The Commission which is governed by a seven member board constitutes, the chairperson (Justice retired K.A Offori Atta), The Executive Secretary(Mr Yaw Sarpong), The deputy chairperson(Mrs Elizabeth Asare), Madam Victoria B.E Soso, a member, Dr Edith Danquah, Nana Kwame Duah and Mr. David Oppong Kofi.
Information Ministry Opens Right To Information Commission Head Office
The commission under Act 989 is solely mandated to carry out it’s work as follows:
– issue written orders requesting for the production of information
– Examine, reproduce, take extracts from or hold Information for unlimited periods
-Take appropriate action that is necessary to enable the commission resolve complaint before it
-conduct matters with as little technicality and as expeditiously as possible.
– Hold hearings in public unless it is considered inappropriate to do so.
-Publish it’s findings,recommendations, orders, decisions and directives quarterly and lastly
-Provide public education and awareness.
Minister for Information, Hon. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah addressing the gathering
The Right to Information (RTI) Act 989 was passed by Parliament and assented to by the President on 21st May, 2019.
Following it’s enforcement, the Act guarantees the general public access to information from public institutions and relevant private bodies which is a right under Article 21Paragraph(f) of clause (1)of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
The Act empowers all persons to have access to information from public institutions and relevant private bobies.
In his address, the honourable Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah noted that “the opening of the head office is a significant milestone in the implementation growth map and further demonstrates government commitment to transparent and accountable governance and the fight against corruption”
He further commended the board for the work done so far adding that he is confident the board will work tirelessly to safeguard the integrity and the RTI Act.
He however admonished the commission board to step up public education requirement as impose on them by the law so that more and more people can know of the functioning of the RTI Act and how to access it.
Furthermore, continue to work with the Ministry to quickly complete the legislative instrument which is to be laid before Parliament so that necessary implises can be given to the act to function fully.
Also not to hesitate to call out and even sanction public institutions that fall fowl of the RTI Act.
Information Ministry Opens Right To Information Commission Head Office
On his part the Executive Secretary of the board, Mr Yaw Sarpong was optimistic that “this office will not be the only office of the commission in Ghana and in the near future there should be regional offices as well as district offices across the country”.
He noted that ” the commission board is excited to formerly have the head office open to engage the general public, the media and all users of the RTI Law.
Adding that,” it is a public office and we expect you to come in as and when you require Information, this is the beginning of the commission’s commitment to entrenching the right to information as guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution”.
He further assured the people of Ghana of the governing board’s focus to carry out its objective to protect, promote, monitor and enforce the RTI Act as provided by Article 21 paragraph 110 of the 1992 Constitution.
He therefore noted that, “so far the Commission has submitted to the Ministry of Information draft guidelines for preparation of information by public institutions as provided for in the RTI Act 2019, Act 989”.
In a later development during a media forum supported by Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), on the role of the media in the use of the RTI Act, Honorable Kojo Oppong charged the media as part of its role to firstly “know the Act; read and understand the Act and also to use the Act”.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
