COCOBOD STAFF TRAINED ON RTI TO BOOST INFORMATION ACCESS

Date: 04th April 2025

The officer in charge of the Right to Information (RTI) Desk at Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), Hannah Joy Amissah, has successfully concluded a 12-day training programme aimed at enhancing staff capacity in handling RTI requests across the cocoa regions.

The training, which ran from March 17 to March 25, 2025, primarily targeted RTI-designated officers. Its objective was to equip participants with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively process information requests in compliance with the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989).

Following the passage of the Act, public institutions are required to appoint officers responsible for ensuring transparency and access to information. In response, COCOBOD identified and trained existing staff to take up this crucial role.

These RTI liaison officers located in the regions will serve as the first point of contact for information requests and ensure proper documentation for onward submission to the RTI Desk at COCOBOD headquarters for further action.

Through interactive sessions, participants gained a deeper understanding of Act 989, explored legal procedures for handling RTI requests, and discussed best practices for ensuring transparency. 

As each of these officers has now been equipped to serve as a vital bridge between COCOBOD and the public, it is indicative of how access to information will be efficient and smooth.

The enthusiasm and engagement of participants underscored the programme’s importance, with many expressing their readiness to apply their newly acquired knowledge in their respective regions.

A total of 219 participants from various cocoa regions, including 10 designated RTI Desk officers, took part in the training.

This bold initiative marks a significant step in COCOBOD’s commitment to openness and accountability within Ghana’s cocoa sector and reinforces its dedication to transparency, effective information dissemination, and compliance with the Right to Information Act.