The Right to Information Law RTI, kick starts today after 22 years of incubation. The law seeks to give effect to Article 21 (1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution which states that “All persons shall have the right to information subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary for a democratic society”.
The Ministry of Information is already working on a roadmap which includes recruitments of RTI officers, establishing Information centres in all government offices, the establishment of the RTI Commission and completion of various administrative protocols.
The law is expected to make it easier for persons to request for and receive information from public institutions in Ghana.
Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said the law will help tone down on speculations about information sharing.
Though the RTI law has taken a long time to be passed, there are those who have argued that more time is needed to carefully mold it before its implementation.
The President of the Ghana Journalists Association, GJA, Roland Affail Monney, however, believes the earlier the RTI is implemented the better.
Speaking to Radio Ghana, Mr. Monney said the RTI Coalition is working with relevant stakeholders to ensure that all necessary preparations are instituted to ensure its success.
