Participants in the first day of the RTI training
A Deputy Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Benito Owusu-Bio, has directed the management of China International Water and Electric Corporation to strictly adhere to the laid down protocols and procedure for the application of temporary quarry permit.
He requested the construction firm to furnish his ministry with all relevant documents pursuant to their application for temporary quarry permit to undertake some projects in the Eastern Corridor.
In an engagement on quarry related matters yesterday, Mr Owusu-Bio, on behalf of the sector Minister, instructed the firm to make available all documents that pertain to the matter for consideration by the Minerals Commission and the Ministry.
Salient issues
Key among the issues raised by the Deputy Minister during the engagement were copies of the company’s agreement with the Ghana Highway Authority, a formal application to the Minerals Commission, among others.
The Deputy Lands Minister explained that after the application is formally submitted to the Mineral Commission, the Commission will conduct a field inspection of the area, and serve his office with a report from its inspection.
He further urged the company to act expeditiously, and ensure that every piece of information relevant to the issue is made available to the ministry.
According to him, a recommendation would be made to the sector Minister for consideration after which a definite decision on temporary permit would be granted.
The management of the company expressed appreciation to the ministry for granting them audience, and promised to follow the laid down procedures to have their request approved by the ministry.
RTI training
Meanwhile, the ministry, in collaboration with the Right To Information Commission (RTI), has begun a training programme for is various agencies.
The training forms part of government’s efforts to implement the Right to Information Act, and pursuant to section 45(c) of the Right to Information Act 2019 (989), which provides recommendations and guidelines to a public institution for internal training of personnel.
Addressing participants during a two-day session yesterday, Emmanuel Afful, the Ministry’s Right to Information Officer, said the purpose of the training was to “familiarise staff with the provisions of the Right To Information Act 989 as well as consider the role of members of staff in providing factual information to the public”.
Facilitators of the training, Dr. Winnifred Nafisa Mahama, Head of the Access to Information Division (ATID), and Mr Sampson Hodor, a Principal Information Officer of ATID, explained the topics of the background, application process, exemptions and the decision of the Commission on the Right to Information Act.
The agencies who participated in the first day of the training included the Minerals Commission, Precious Minerals Marketing Company, Ghana Plantation Fund Board and the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL).
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