On Thursday, May 22, 2025, a vital step was taken to educate young minds about the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989). The sensitization session, organized by Ransford Adu Acheampong, RTI Officer for Okai Koi South Sub-Metro, was hosted at Accra Wesley Girls Senior High School.
Supporting the event were:
- Helen Quartey, RTI Officer, Accra Metropolitan Assembly
- Sophia Akwaah Asiamah, RTI Officer, Greater Accra Regional Coordinating Council
- E.K. Attoh
Purpose of the Visit – Right to Information (RTI) Sensitization
The team introduced the students to the concept and importance of RTI, explained how young citizens can access public information, and demonstrated how RTI empowers participation in democratic governance.
The students showed high levels of interest and engagement. Most had never heard of the RTI Act, making this session not just informative, but essential.
Student Reactions: “We’ve Never Heard of Right to Information Before!”
Many of the students confessed that they had never encountered the RTI Act before this session. For them, the idea of requesting official information from public offices was eye-opening. From questions about corruption to curiosity about school funding, students expressed a genuine interest in how they could use RTI to hold institutions accountable.
Some students asked:
- “Can students use RTI to ask about government scholarships?”
- “Is there a fee when requesting information?”
- “What happens if a government office refuses to answer your RTI request?”
These questions led to meaningful discussions about transparency, responsibility, and youth voice in governance.
“We didn’t know anything about the Right to Information or that students could also even request information. I’d like to try it myself,” a student shared.
The Aim: Making the Law Real for the Next Generation
The RTI Act may have been passed in 2019, but many Ghanaians—especially young people—still do not fully understand what it means or how it can be used. That’s why the team set out not only to educate the students but to empower them as active participants in Ghana’s democracy.
The engagement session covered the origins and importance of the RTI law, its practical application, and how it protects citizens’ rights to access information held by public institutions.
“You have a right to ask questions. The government works for you,” emphasized Miss Helen Quartey.
Topics Covered:
Understanding the RTI Act (Act 989)
Why RTI matters to young people
How to file an RTI request
The role of public information in building accountable institutions
Why Target Schools?
Sensitizing students at the secondary school level is crucial for one main reason: they represent the future of participatory democracy. By learning their rights early, students develop a lifelong habit of seeking truth, asking questions, and demanding accountability.
The session at Accra Wesley Girls SHS also revealed a concerning gap in the school curriculum—a lack of dedicated content around RTI and civic rights. Many teachers in attendance expressed support for integrating RTI education into civic studies, social studies, or government lessons.
The enthusiasm and curiosity from the students showed the urgent need to expand RTI education to schools across the country. Informing Ghana’s youth today prepares them to become informed leaders tomorrow.
The Road Ahead: Expanding the Movement
The RTI education campaign will continue to reach schools, youth centers, and communities. As more students become informed, the demand for transparency from local and national institutions is expected to grow.
“We believe that an informed student today becomes a responsible leader tomorrow,” said Ransford, RTI Officer at Okai-Koi South Sub Metro.
This session adds to the growing momentum behind grassroots RTI awareness initiatives, which align with the national push for open governance and youth inclusion.
Conclusion: Information is Power
The event at Accra Wesley Girls SHS was not just a lecture—it was a call to action. Informed citizens build accountable nations, and the earlier we begin this education, the stronger Ghana’s democracy becomes.
As one student put it:
“I now know that I have the right to ask questions—and get answers.”
🔎 Stay informed. Stay empowered.
📍 Visit InformedGhana.com regularly for more updates on RTI education in schools.
RTI education for the schools is important since most people are not aware such an Act existed. personally I would like for this to reach institutions at large .Your team is doing well .God bless your hardwork 🙏🏾