We will improve – RTI commission pledges as it marks RTI week
Deputy Chairperson of the Right to Information Commission, Madam Elizabeth Asare has stated that there is more room for improvement in the discharge of their duties as an organization.
Recounting how their sensitization drive to the public has been so far, she revealed that the RTI commission is done with 10 out of the 16 regions in Ghana where they espoused the Right to Information Act (989) 2019 and educated the public on the right to access information about an institution or issue except it is deemed as classified.
She admitted some challenges they have been fraught with being sued due to some people deciding to use the courts to enable them to get certain information.
But Madam Elizabeth Asare said, “that should not stop you from testing the law to see if you can get the information you if you are unable to get it to make sure you come to the commission we will take it up except it borders on security”.
Looking back on how far the commission has come with regards to its mandate to promote, monitor, enforce and protect the citizen’s right to information as they mark the right to information week she states that currently, a lot needs to be done for the institution to discharge its mandate well.
In enumerating some of the challenges of the institution she said “the reality is we have a staff of 127 as a woefully inadequate commission and we need to spread nationwide as an institution by getting district office, zonal office and regional office but unfortunately the commission is cash strapped to carry out these projects”.
The help given by Hubtel and other institutions to the RTI commission was also acknowledged and appreciated while they appealed for more support from other companies.
