Management and Staff of the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) have been sensitized on the Right To Information Act.
It was organized by the Corporate Affairs Department of the company and the RTI Unit with resource persons from the Access to Information Division of the Information Services Department.
The purpose of the program was to deepen the awareness of the Right to Information Act among staff of the company.
The training had resources persons from the Access to Information Division of the Information Services Department, namely Madam Bridget Mensah (Head, Access to Information Division), Mr. Sostheness Senanu Nyadroh and Mr. George Basoah Frimpong, both Deputy Chief Information Officers at the Information Services Department.
Mr. George Abradu-Otoo, the Chief Executive Officer at the Company, in his welcome address thanked the resource persons for taking some time off their busy schedule to help sensitize staff and management on the various provisions prescribed in the RTI Act
The resource persons in turns took participants through, the general background of the RTI Act, merits of the Law, duties of public institutions in relation to the RTI Act, the processes and timelines involved in applying for information, the review mechanisms and the exemptions outlined in the RTI Act.
Madam Bridget Mensah accentuated on the importance of the RTI Law in fighting corruption and promoting transparency in governance.
She outlined the duties of public institutions under the Act thus: the compilation and publication of the Information manual, establishment of an information unit headed by an Information Officer, submission of annual report to the Right to Information Commission and keeping accurate and authentic information. She also touched on the duties of the Access to Information Division established under the Information Services Department.
Explaining the processes involved in applying for information, Mr. George Frimpong Basoah stated that application for information under the RTI Law must be in writing. However, persons living with disabilities and illiterates can make an oral application and this application will be reduced into writing by the Information Officer. Addressing a question from the Chief Executive Officer on who should receive a request, Mr. Basoah clearly stated that the first point of contact is the Information Officer with approval from the Chief Executive Officer.
He stated that the RTI request must be processed within 14 days upon receipt and applications involving the liberty and life of an individual must be addressed within 48 hours.
Mr. Senanu Nyadroh sensitized staff on the exemptions in the RTI Act. Personal information, privileged information, internal workings within an organization, information on the President and his vice, cabinet information and information on national security. He also took participants through the fees and charges and sanctions under the Act.
The interactive session was followed up with questions from the engaging participants with answers provided to each of them from the resource persons.
At the end of the training session, Head of Corporate Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel J.K Arthur stated that participants have learnt a lot from the training and will make good use of the knowledge acquired. He also thanked the Chief Executive Officer, his deputy, and the resources persons.
