GJA Calls on RTI Commission to Ensure Institutions Adhere to RTI Regulations

At a courtesy call by the Executives of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) on the Board of the Right to Information (RTI) on Friday, (August 20, 2022, the GJA, President Albert Kwabena Dwumfour appealed to the RTI Board to ensure that Institutions adhere to the RTI regulations in order to ensure speedy release of information requested by Journalists.

According to the GJA President, timely accessibility of information as requested by Journalists would help assuage false news and misinformation as well as contribute to responsible journalism.

“If there is an impediment or we find it difficult to have information there would be false information or fake news; we want eradicate yellow journalism”, Mr. Dwumfour stressed.

He however commended the Board for cracking the whip on institutions which flout the law citing sanctions on the Fire Service and Police service as instances.

The GJA President later expressed his commitment to collaborate with the RYI Board adding that “we need to explore opportunities on both side in terms of capacity building for our members”.

“…We want you to see GJA as a major partner”.

On his part, the Chairman of the RTI Board, Justice K.A. Ofori-Atta, a retired High Court Judge appealed to the GJA to rally media support for RTI in order to ensure it achieves the purpose for the law came into force.

“Without you we cant work and without us you cant work so lets support each other”,

He added “the role of GJA is very important and we expect that the collaboration remains stronger”.

The Executive Secretary of RTI Commission, Mr. Yaw Sarpong Boateng assured GJA of the Board’s commitment to ensure Journalists and individuals access information without any impediment.

He said it is the only way the Commission can be said to be efficient in the discharge of their duties.

The Executive Secretary later appealed to the GJA to have a second look at the MoU signed by erstwhile Affail Monney administration which amongst others gives allocates an office space for the Commission within the GJA Premises.

“We want a new edifice to house all of us at one place.The plan came from GJA and we only came in to support”, Mr. Sarpong Boateng reiterated.

Present at the meeting was the Deputy Chair of the Board, Mrs. Elizabeth Asare who stressed the need for GJA to consider the MoU since it provides a win-win situation for the two bodies.

Source:www.senaradioonline.com