Accra: The Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD) has trained members of the Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) on the Right to Information (RTI) Act to strengthen advocacy, improve access to public information, and deepen participation in governance.
According to Ghana News Agency, the two-day workshop, held in Akosombo, aimed to equip participants with practical knowledge and understanding of the RTI Act, 2019 (Act 989), and its application in advancing disability rights and inclusion. The event, themed 'Strengthening the Capacity of Organisations of Persons with Disabilities in Ghana,' brought together members of the Ghana National Association of the Deaf, the Ghana Blind Union, and other disability groups.
Mr. Peter Anomah Kordie, Executive Director of the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, emphasized the workshop's objective to enable participants to better understand and utilize the RTI Act in their advocacy efforts. He highlighted the importance of understanding laws governing rights to actively participate in their implementation.
Mr. Kordie expressed confidence that the training would enable participants to request accessible information from public institutions effectively and use it to benefit their members. He urged participants to apply the knowledge gained to advance disability rights and contribute to a more inclusive society.
He noted that many disability organisations previously struggled with inadequate knowledge of the RTI Act, making it difficult to pursue information requests or challenge decisions when access was denied.
Mr. Stephen Owusu, Head of Legal at the Right to Information Commission, emphasized that access to information is a constitutional right. He encouraged citizens, including persons with disabilities, to use the RTI Act to promote transparency and accountability in public institutions, citing the RTI Commission's role in assisting when access is denied.
Mr. Owusu highlighted provisions in the Act that protect persons with disabilities, such as Section 75(2), which exempts them from paying fees for information requests, and Section 18, which promotes equal access to information. He urged persons with disabilities to leverage the law to enhance their rights and participation in national development.
Mr. Evans Oheneba Mensah, Project Officer of the European Union-funded project at GFD, explained that the workshop is part of a three-year initiative implemented by the Federation in partnership with the Mental Health Society of Ghana and the Africa Disability Institute. The project aims to strengthen the institutional and advocacy capacity of disability organisations nationwide.
He described the workshop as timely, stressing that access to information is a fundamental right essential for meaningful participation in governance. He observed that persons with disabilities often face discrimination and barriers to information access, necessitating targeted interventions.
Mr. Mensah called on public institutions to ensure information accessibility for all citizens, regardless of disability status, to promote inclusion and equal participation in national development.