As part of the institutional sensitization agenda of the Right to Information Commission (the Commission) to engage and sensitize management and staff of all public institutions and other relevant private bodies, the Commission, on 26th July 2022 at Alisa Hotels in Accra, sensitized the management and staff of the Ghana Revenue Authority which includes management of both Internal Revenue Service Division and Customs Division across all their stations.
The Deputy Commissioner in charge of Suspense Regime, Mr Emmanuel Gilbert Ohene, who stood instead of the Commissioner Support Service Division, Ms Julie Essiam welcomed participants and encouraged them to make sure what they learn helps them to make good use of the processes of the law since what the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) seeks to achieve conforms with the core values of the Ghana Revenue Authority.
Stephen Owusu Esq., Head of Legal, Governance, Regulatory and Research at the Right to Information Commission, who, on behalf of the Commission was the resource person, indicated that “Transparency is in information and Corruption is also in information” and hence Act 989 has come to bring about transparency to the ordinary taxpayer who sometimes doubts if indeed his or her taxes are being used for their intended purposes.
The presentation centred on the General Overview of Act 989, Responsibilities of Public Institutions in respect of access to information, Procedure and Manner of Access, Information that is Exempt from disclosure, Disclosure for the protection of public interest, Offences under the Act, Decision on applications, among others.
The presentation was informative and educative and participants were given the opportunity to ask questions to clear their doubts.
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Kwabena Nyarko Abronoma
