There is the need to create public awareness on the RTI law – MFWA – Skyy Power FM

The Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) says the Right To Information (RTI) Law has received low patronage since it became functional 3 years ago.

As part of efforts to increase knowledge and awareness about the RTI Law which was passed in 2019, the MFWA organised a training session for interested citizens and journalists in Takoradi on Thursday, July 13, on how to use the law to access information from government agencies.

Speaking at the training session, The programs officer at the MFWA, Adizatu Moro Maiga said as an NGO championing the usage of the RTI law, awareness creation and capacity building is the way to go since it’s a right that everybody needs to know and enjoy.

She said, “After more than two years since the RTI law became functional, we still have low patronage of its use, for us, we think one way that we can increase the usage of the RTI law is awareness creation and capacity enhancement.”

“Since the law became functional, the MFWA has promoted access to information knowledge across the length and breadth of Ghana, we have been to Ashanti Region, Northern Region, Western North, and Greater Accra Region raising awareness of Ghana’s right to information law.”

She added that in terms of progress, the government has tried to establish the RTI Commission and capacity building. However, there is still room for improvement because some public officials sometimes do not know what the law entails.

“Sometimes, when you put in a request for information and they ask ridiculous questions like, why do you need the information you are asking, and by the law you don’t have to tell them the reason you are asking for such information.”

“For this reason, we think there is still more the government can do to create awareness and also make public officials also have a better knowledge of the law.”