Wikileaks And Need For Freedom Of Information Act In Ghana.

Following the brouhaha of WikiLeaks disclosures that has exposed the US administration, the undemocratic shenanigans of many countries and the embarrassment and controversy to international diplomacy, regardless of one’s view on WikiLeaks, it reinforces the need for our Government to act swiftly on the issues of Freedom of Information Act [FOI] for sake of brevity, Whistleblowing policy and Investigative journalism in Ghana. We live in internet technology and information age. Information is a vital currency in democracy; it illuminates the dark mind and opens the eyes of the public to Government activities. A well informed and socio-politically vibrant citizenry is a sign of healthy democracy and development.

While both the President and Leader of the Opposition have made public statements about fighting bribery and corruption, very little has actually been done. The best tool Ghanaians of any political persuasion could use to fight bribery and corruption themselves is the FOI Act. President Mills promised this and he has to deliver on this! The FOI Act will promote transparency and good governance. It’s therefore, very imperative that the President and Parliament certify the FOI Bill as urgent for the public to scrutinise government activities. All Ghanaians should push for the passage of the FOI Act. When there is full public disclosure of government transactions involving public and national interests, subject to limitations under the proposed Act, the public will have confidence and trust in the administration of this country. Therefore, there will be effective governance and citizens’ participation in certain decisions. My question is what is stopping Parliament and the President from ratifying the FOI Bill?

Remember, ‘corruption thrives in secrecy’. The FOI Act will provide standard procedures and scope of government transactions. This will provide a voice, transparency, integrity, accountability and control of political corruption. Access to Freedom of Information is also a fundamental human right and can be used to help people exercise their rights which inevitably affect our socio-economic and political development. With the country’s dysfunctional government institutions, ineffective judicial system, systemic corruption and economic mismanagement, another potent and functioning tool will be the FOI Act. This will pave the way for protection of whistleblowers in civil and public institutions and effective investigative journalism in Ghana.

With the country’s mounting national debt and the much anticipated oil wealth already shrouded in political confusion, the country needs the FOI Act if our present and future generation stand any chance of benefitting from the oil wealth. Parliament should ratify the Bill as soon as possible to strengthen our democratic institutions. We should therefore urge the media, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Ghana Christian and Muslim Councils, the National House of Chiefs and all MPs and Political parties to demand the immediate passage of the FOI Act to secure the public’s right to information.

Author: LONTO-BOY