In a bid to enhance transparency and facilitate public access to information, senior police officers in the Oforikrom Municipality received comprehensive training on Friday, September 29, on the Right to Information (RTI) Act at the KNUST District Police Headquarters.

The training session, led by the municipality’s Right to Information Officer, Mr Emmanuel Asare sought to educate officers on the procedures and provisions of the RTI Act.

During the session, Mr Asare highlighted the historical background of the RTI Act, tracing its origins to 1999 when the Institute of Economic Affairs drafted the initial bill.

This initiative was sparked by a prior incident in 1995 when the Bank of Ghana denied access to economic indicators, underlining the importance of such legislation to promote transparency.

One of the key highlights of the training was Mr Asare’s detailed explanation of the standard application process for accessing information. He emphasised that while using the standard application form is recommended, applicants can still submit requests using their official letterhead or on an A4 sheet paper. This flexibility is designed to make it easier for individuals to seek information from government agencies.

The Officer in charge of the Oduom-Anwomaso Police Station, Chief Inspector Charles Boadi Kankam raised a question about how Information Officers would obtain details of an applicant who deviates from the standard application form. In response, the RTI officer clarified that in such cases, “the applicant must be made to provide an identification card” to ensure proper identification.

Another important issue raised during the session pertained to the disclosure of information related to the security of the state. Chief Inspector Philip Kwaku Senyaglo sought clarity on this matter, to which Chief Superintendent Mr Fredrick Hammond, the KNUST District Police Commander, responded.

He explained that it is the responsibility of the Officer in charge of Public Affairs to assess whether the requested information touches on issues of confidentiality or national security. If the information requested does not pose a threat to these concerns, it should be made available to the applicant, promoting transparency while safeguarding sensitive matters.

Inspector Frank Akowuah and Chief Inspector Alex Kwame Akrobettoe, representing the Bomso and KNUST Police Stations, also had their questions addressed by the Right to Information Officer during the informative session.

The training session served as a valuable opportunity for senior police officers to deepen their understanding of the Right to Information Act and its implications for their roles and responsibilities.

This knowledge is expected to enhance transparency, accountability, and the responsible handling of information within the Oforikrom Municipality’s law enforcement agencies.