Stop political rhetoric, pass RTI Bill – CSO

Civil Society Organisations have called on government to stop the political rhetoric and pass the Right to Information bill as the world marks International Right to Know day today.

Perfector of Sentiments Foundation (POS), human rights NGO focused on youth and children’s Development and Rights, in a statement to the Ghana News Agency on Saturday to make the Right to Know Day, expressed disappointment about the delay in passing the RTI Bill, which was drafted in 2002.

The statement signed by Mr Jonathan Osei Owusu, POS Executive Director said, “CSO are disappointed at policy makers who have manned the affairs of this nation spanning over the past ten (10) years.

“In the NDC manifesto for the 2008 electoral campaign, the promise was made to see to a quick passage of the bill. Such promise formed a core component of the Campaign; we are yet to see commitment to the passage of the bill”.

The statement urged the media to make the contents of the draft bill public; the status of the bill approved by Cabinet in June of 2013; and challenged government to demonstrated commitment to pass the bill.

“We call on all the good citizens of Ghana to support not just the speedy passage of the RTI Bill but also an effective Law that meets International standard,” the statement stated.