RTI Bill Coming – Prez Assures
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said plans are afoot to put before Parliament the much-talked about Right to Information (RTI) Bill.
This he noted would increase transparency and add another critical weapon to the armoury in the Ghana’s fight against corruption.
“After many years of hesitation, we intend to bring a Bill again to Parliament and work to get it passed into law before the end of this Meeting of Parliament.”
Nana Addo in an address at the 61st Independence Day Parade said the protection of the public purse is a social common good which depends on all the citizens.
He contends that it is in the interest of the nation that corruption does not thrive, and we police each other’s behaviour.
Many years down the lane, Ghana is still struggling to pass the RTI Bill.
Civil society groups including the Right to Information Coalition (RTI Coalition) Ghana have urged the government to ensure the speedy passage of the bill.
The bill was drafted in 1999 and reviewed in 2003, 2005 and 2007 but was presented to Parliament till 2010.
The bill when passed is expected to give right and access to official information held by public institutions, private entities which perform public functions with public funds.
The right to information is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the 1992 Constitution and recognized as a right under International Conventions on Human rights.
The bill will give substance to Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution which states that “All persons shall have the right to information subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society”.
By: Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson/ thePublisher
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