MoPA Engages CSOs On RTI Implementation

The Minister of Parliament Affairs (MoPA), Hon. Osei Kyei Mensah Bonsu has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Clergy, academia, the media and Ghanaians to continue to see to the implementation of the RTI Act.

The (RTI) Bill was passed into law on the 26th of March 2019 after close to 20years.

Hon. Kyei Mensah Bonsu said, "Parliament has played its role in delivering a baby, now it is left with the effective and efficient implementation of the law."

"Two other bills that generated some heated debate were the children's act and indeed this act related to one particular provision.

"And the Petroleum Revenue Management Act, this I wish; that the same level of enthusiasm and scrutiny demonstrated in the passage of the RTI Bill, would be applied to all other Bills before Parliament such as the Spousal Rights Bill," the Minister noted.

Hon. Joseph Osei Owusu, Second Speaker of Parliament speaking at dialogue and collaborative meeting held with Civil Society Organization (CSOs) to deliberate on the implementation of the Right To Information (RTI) law; indicated the need to achieve the values contained through the implementation of the law.

Hon. Inusah Fuseini, speaking on behalf of the Minority Leader of Parliament Hon. Haruna Iddrisu said they (Minority) were not enthused with what the Majority Leader said about government not putting in place institutional mechanism for the implementation of the law due to budgetary constraints.

Dr. Evans Aggrey Darko, Chief Director of MoPA said his ministry will provide the platform for citizens to hold government accountable on democratic dividends and general improvement on public goods.

"The ministry is conscious of the fact that access to information dissemination of information has the following advantages; that it will empower the citizens to seek information from government, public officials, public institutions and to help citizens know what is happening, the limitations of government and to promote transparency," he stressed.

CSOs -Take on the Implementation

Mr Akoto Ampaw, a member of the steering committee for RTI coalition, stressed on the need to appoint officials of the commission devoid of all partisan politics.