President, John Evans Atta Mills, has taken a major step towards fulfilling yet another key manifesto promise, with the approval of the Right to Information Bill by the Cabinet.
The bill, when passed, will give journalists and the public the right to obtain information from government officials and public institutions that otherwise would have been difficult to access.
Cabinet gave the approval at its last sitting, following a report submitted by its subcommittee that studied the draft memorandum.
With the approval, the bill is set to be submitted to Parliament for consideration.
Information Minister, Mrs Zita Okaikoi, told the Daily Graphic in Accra that the “presentation of the bill to Parliament less than a year after coming into office is the fulfilment of the National Democratic Congress’s (NDC’s) campaign pledge to pass the bill into law to facilitate access to official information”.
She said the move by the government was also an ample testimony of “our commitment to full disclosure”.
One of the strongest benefits of the bill is that it would help journalists to refrain from propaganda and hearsay to relying on empirical evidence and will give citizens more factual and detailed understanding of issues.
Mrs Okaikoi said the Mills Administration recognised the importance of the bill to the fight against corruption, adding that it would also enhance a transparent, accountable and responsive government.
She appealed to Parliament to treat the consideration of the bill with utmost urgency.
The minister reminded journalists of the need for them to continue to be fair, objective and responsible in their reportage in order to promote greater national cohesion and contribute to the sustainable development of the country.
She further urged journalists in particular, to update themselves on the provisions in the bill in order to be keep abreast of the procedures and processes for accessing information under the law, after its passage. Share Your Thoughts on this article Name Email Location Comments Graphic Ghana may edit your comments and not all comments will be published
Accra floods: 70 seized excavators to be deployed to NADMO for desilting — Munta...
Kasseh Market executives stop sale of food near toilet facility
Three arrested over theft of critical equipment at Komenda Sugar Factory
Nearly half of Ghanaians say military rule can be justified if governments fail ...
GWL resumes production at Barekese Water Treatment Plant after completion of rep...
Economic performance most powerful source of Mahama’s goodwill — IEA
Nyinahini SHS assault: Court strikes out case, urges reconciliation
Even traffic lights in front of police headquarters are being stolen — Roads Min...
One major cause of Ablekuma North rerun violence was lack of security coordinati...
BTU Council divided as Chairman rejects parliamentary mediation in VC dispute
