RTI Law Must Cover Private Sector -Speaker

If the fight against corruption is to succeed, the proposed Right to Information Bill must make provision to include the private sector, Speaker of Parliament, Prof Aaron Michael Oquaye has suggested.

According to him, corruption in the public sector is largely influenced by players in the private hence cannot be left out by the law which is aimed at making information readily available to help stem the canker.

He raised concerns that the Bill which is yet to be introduced to Parliament by its current form, does not make provisions to allow the private sector including businesses, expatriate, consultants, business promoters among others to make information available to the public to help fight corruption.

He noted that there is symbiosis between private and public-sector players for corruption.

The Speaker stated that the bill though a good one, is crafted to shield private entities and must be made compellable on private firms to make information available as well to fight corruption.

Prof Ocquaye was speaking at the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) 2018 Biennial General Meeting in Accra.

The Speaker also jabbed so-called ‘big men’ in society including chiefs, pastors, political leaders who always intercede on behalf of criminals in society when are arrested for wrong doings.

According to Prof Mike Ocquaye such practice is affecting the legislature, government and the judiciary efforts in combating corruption in the country.

The African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) 2018 Biennial General Meeting was on the theme “the role of the Parliamentarian in the fight against corruption and in achieving the SDGs in Africa.

The Executive Director of the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs, Dr. Rashid Dramani bemoaned the spate of corruption in the country which he said remained a threat to the nation’s peace and security.

He advocated stiffer punishment for corrupt public officials to eliminate the canker from society.

Executive Director of Ghana Integrity Initiative, Linda Ofori Kwafo on her part, demanded for the immediate passage of RTI bill as promised by President Akufo-Addo at the 61th Independence celebration.

National Security Minister, Albert Kan Dapaah on his part chided Parliament for not exercising its accountability role which has led to increasing corruption in the public sector.

By: Christian Kpesese/ thePublisher