Politicians, lawmakers asked to support Right to Information Bill

Sekondi, Oct. 1, GNA - Politicians and lawmakers have been asked not= to be scared about the Right to Information Bill, currently before Parliament, but they should expedite action on its passage.

The Bill is not to give the media entrenched powers but to enable the general public get access to vital information on national issues. Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Project Coordinator for the Coalition on the Right to Information-Ghana (RTI), made the call on Friday at Sekondi when h= e interacted with the Western Regional Information Services Department. It was to solicit their support for educating the public on the need t= o advocate prompt passage of the bill. Mr. Ameyibor noted that the Department played key role in advocacy on national issues. He said that the Information Services Department and the RTI regional focal persons would collaborate to maintain discussion on the bill in the Region. Mr. Ameyibor said that the two groups would also implore strategic public relations in educating the public on the bill as well as text messaging and engagement with public officials on the need for a Right to Information law.

He said Ghana must appreciate the bill since democracy thrived on the flow of relevant information.

Mr Ameyibor said the passage of the bill would enable the people to participate in shaping society and consolidating democracy. He said the Coalition sought to empower Ghanaians to check excesses by public functionaries and hold them accountable. Mr. Micheal Ocloo, Regional Information Officer, said the passage of the bill was long overdue and that its passage would promote the country'= s infant democracy.