Environmentalist calls for the passage of RTI

Accra, Oct. 11, GNA - An Environmentalist, Mr Samuel D. E. K. Anku has noted the urgent need for protection of the environment through the Right to Information (RTI) legislation to spell out the procedure for access to environmental information. He identified the lack of an RTI regime as a major limitation for environmental democracy as the classification of some form of information as 93Confidential" on the grounds of national security provides a broad cloak.

At the same time, repressive measures for wrongful disclosure by Government officials and the lack of sanctions for failure to provide access do not encourage access to information. In a document obtained by the Ghana News Agency on Tuesday, Mr Anku said citizens' access to environmental information would create a conducive environment and strengthen the tenets of environmental democracy in Ghana.

The Environmental Expert noted that an RTI regime will serve as a stronger tool for implementing environmentally sustainable strategies, create new economic opportunities for poor people and also promote equity and social justice.

Mr Anku noted, 93Integrating RTI in the national decision-making processes is a fundamental pre-requisite for building a stable and predictable environment for investment and business". He explained that Ghana in 1992 endorsed the Rio Earth declaration, Principle 10 of which states: 93Environmental issues are best handled with participation of all concerned citizens at the relevant levels.

"At the national level, each individual shall have appropriate access to information concerning the environment that is held by public authorities, including information on hazardous materials and activities in their communities, and the opportunity to participate in decision-making processes.

"States shall facilitate and encourage public awareness and participation by making information widely available. Effective access to judicial and administrative proceedings, including redress and remedy, shall be provided".

Mr Anku stressed that to make possible citizens involvement in environmental decision making, the above principles highlight three fundamental access rights that empower citizens - access to information, environmental democracy and awareness for seeking redress and remedy.

"When these rights are both protected by law and embodied in government practices, decisions are more likely to be equitable and environmentally sustainable and more likely to be fully implemented," he noted.

He explained that environmental democracy is about government being transparent, accountable and inclusive in decisions that affect the environment.

"The term environmental democracy reflects increasing recognition that environmental issues must be addressed by all those affected by the outcome and not just by government and industry. "It captures the principle of equal rights for all those in the environment debate including the public, community groups, advocates, industrial leaders, workers, governments, academics and health care professionals.

"For those whose daily lives reflect the quality of their environment, participation in environmental decision-making is as important as in education, health care, finance and government; a complex relationship therefore exist between democratic politics and the management of the environment," he stated.

Mr Anku said the high cost involved in accessing the information in government possession; limits efforts made to reach a wide range of stakeholders with information including the disadvantaged groups. Mr Anku therefore urged civil society organizations to work with government to promote the implementation of the rights of access to information, participation and justice in environmental decision-making through communication, environmental legal education, capacity building and legal assistance for local communities. 11 Oct. 11