Amend Rights to Information Bill before passage, Western Regional stakeholders call
Fijai (W/R), Oct. 14, GNA - The Coalition on the Right to Information Ghana over the weekend called for the amendment of certain portions of the bill before its final passage.
The coalition said the bill, passed in its current state, would make access to information rather a difficult task.
The Coalition at a Focus Group Meeting with stakeholders at Takoradi in the Western Region said though government's commitment to the passage was appreciated there were still eleven areas that needed some critical reviews in order to bring the bill in line with international best practices.
The areas are: Maximum Disclosure, Elaborate Penalty Regime, Independent Enforcement Organ, Appeals Process, Fee requirements, Timely Access, Inclusion of private Bodies, Inclusion of Chieftaincy Institutions as Public Bodies, Implementation and Record Keeping.
Ms Esther Ahulu, an Administrative Assistant with the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and a member of the Coalition, said though freedom of information was fundamental in any given democracy, it was also imperative that the right things were done to secure it.
She said it was time for all Ghanaians to own the bill and push for its passage since it would be interest of all.
Ms Ahulu said information flow strengthened democracy, good governance, transparency, accountability, economic growth and development.
It also fights poverty and corruption and that the passage of the bill in its right frame would definitely enhance the socio-political discourse of the country.
Since 2002, the Coalition has been advocating for the passage of an effective and efficient bill into law to give legal backing to the people's right to information.
GNA...
Read Full Story
Advertise Here contact ads[@]ghheadlines.com
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Instagram
Google+
YouTube
LinkedIn
RSS