The Information Services Department (ISD) of the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly has intensified public education on the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989), to raise awareness of citizens’ right to access information held by public institutions.
The sensitization exercise took place on Best 90.5 FM’s Morning Show on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, where the Municipal Information Officer, Madam Matilda Ansah, and the Information Officer in charge of Right to Information, Collins Ransford Abam, educated listeners on the history, importance, and procedures for accessing information under the law.
During the engagement, the officers explained the background to the passage of the RTI Act, which was passed by Parliament on March 26, 2019, and assented to by the President on May 21, 2019.
They emphasized that access to information is a fundamental human right that promotes transparency, accountability, and good governance. They encouraged the public to exercise this right by seeking information from public institutions on matters of interest to them.
Madam Matilda Ansah urged the general public to use the appropriate channels provided under the RTI Act to access information rather than relying on informal sources, such as friends or acquaintances working in government institutions.
She explained that making formal requests through established procedures helps citizens obtain information through the appropriate institutional channels and promotes transparency and accountability in public service delivery.
The officers further explained that citizens can submit RTI requests through various means, including written applications, verbal requests, and electronic platforms, in accordance with the applicable procedures under the law.
They also highlighted the statutory response period, explaining that institutions generally have 14 working days to respond to requests, subject to the provisions and exceptions under the Act.
The public was advised that applicants who do not receive a response within the stipulated period, or who are dissatisfied with the response received, may follow up with the head of the institution. Where the matter remains unresolved, applicants may pursue the appropriate review, complaint, and appeal procedures through the Right to Information Commission and, where applicable, the High Court.
The engagement formed part of the Information Services Department’s commitment to promoting public awareness of the RTI Act and ensuring that residents understand how to exercise their right to information.
The Department encouraged residents of the Prestea Huni-Valley Municipality to take advantage of the law and urged public institutions to fulfil their obligations by providing access to information in accordance with the Act.
The sensitization program on Best FM’s Morning Show reaffirmed the importance of public education in building an informed society where citizens can actively participate in governance and hold public institutions accountable.
By: Information Services Department (ISD)
Prestea Huni-Valley Municipal Assembly