Freedom of Information law can be expensive if not well-managed

The Freedom of Information Law could prove to be very expensive, if not well-managed, President John Agyekum Kufuor has cautioned.

He said the Government would therefore ensure that adequate ground work had been done before its passage.

The Attorney-General, he said, was working out the time-table, the Government needed, to be ready with the law.

President Kufuor was interacting with delegates to the 41st Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People's Rights at the Castle, Osu.

Made up of Human Rights Commissioners of African Union (AU) and representatives of Non-Governmental and Civil Society Organisations, they are in Accra to deliberate on human rights issues confronting the Continent.

President Kufuor spoke of the Government's determination to put in place the necessary institutions and laws to protect the rights of the people, citing the landmark Domestic Violence Law and the repeal of the offensive Criminal Libel Law.

Without respect for human rights, governance cannot be said to be good and this could hamper investment inflows, he added.

President Kufuor, who is the Chairman of the AU, said liberated Africa must therefore uphold people's rights, which “is the basis of democracy.”

He counselled that with the opening up of the world, it was important for the Commission to help deepen the awareness of African societies to the dangers that could arise out of the pursuit of sectional rights.

He noted that, the violation of the rights of minority groups, had been the major cause of most of the friction and conflicts on the Continent and said such pitfalls must be avoided.

Mrs Salamatta Sawadogo, Chairperson of the Commission and leader of the delegation, praised President Kufuor for his keen interest in the work of the Commission and said; “We know we can depend on your support to implement the mandate given to us.”

She said the decision to hold the Session in Accra was taken to share with Ghana the joy of the 50 years of political independence.

Source: GNA