The Assembly Member for the Sheaga Electoral Area in the Talensi District of the Upper East Region, *Hon. Augustine Mmi-oni Guure, has raised serious concerns over what he describes as the refusal of the Talensi District Assembly to comply with the *Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989).
Hon. Guure, who also serves as the Chairman of the Sub-Security and Justice Committee of the Talensi District Assembly, says the leadership of the Assembly has failed to provide him with critical public information despite formally invoking the RTI Act.
Request for PWD Funds Information
According to the Assemblyman, his request focuses on two key areas of public interest. The first relates to the utilisation of funds allocated to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) within the district.
He explained that he formally requested details on how the PWD Common Fund is disbursed and utilised, including the criteria and selection process used in determining beneficiaries at the district level. However, he claims that repeated attempts to obtain this information have yielded no response from the Assembly.
“As an elected representative and a member of the Assembly, I am entitled to this information, especially when it concerns vulnerable persons in our communities,” Hon. Guure stated.
Concerns Over SOCO Projects
The second request, according to Hon. Guure, relates to SOCO projects undertaken by the Talensi District Assembly. He said he officially applied for information on how these projects have been executed in the district, including their status and implementation records from 2020 to date.
He disclosed that he submitted the RTI request on *5th January 2026, but as of now, he has *received no acknowledgement or response from the Assembly, contrary to the timelines stipulated under the RTI law.
Allegations of Disregard for the RTI Act
Expressing his frustration, Hon. Guure questioned the commitment of the Assembly to transparency and accountability.
“Is the Talensi District Assembly more powerful than the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana?” he queried, accusing the leadership of deliberately refusing to comply with the RTI law.
He noted that the RTI Act was enacted to promote openness in governance and to empower citizens and public officials alike to demand accountability in the use of public resources.
Possible Legal Action and Call for Support
In view of the continued silence from the Assembly, Hon. Augustine Mmi-oni Guure has threatened to pursue legal action to compel the Talensi District Assembly to release the requested information.
He also called on anti-corruption campaigners, civil society organisations, and transparency advocates to support his effort, stressing that the matter goes beyond personal interest and touches on the rights of the people of Talensi.
“This is about accountability, transparency, and protecting public funds meant for the most vulnerable in our society,” he said.
As of the time of filing this report, the Talensi District Assembly had not officially responded to the allegations. Efforts to reach the Assembly’s leadership for comment were unsuccessful.
Source: BlueWaves Radio 93.7 FM | Maurice Duncan
