Right to Information advocates attend workshop in Wa

Wa, Aug 21, GNA - The Right To Information (RTI) Bill is not about witch hunting and throwing people in authority out of their jobs.

It is rather to promote transparency and ensure that state resources are used judiciously, Alhaji Alhassan Abudulai, a member of Eworld/Muslim Sector has said.

He noted that probity and accountability could only be achieved in a regime where information was readily made available on request because corruption strives in an environment of secrecy.

Alhaji Alhassan was giving an overview of the RTI Bill, which is before Parliament, at a workshop for about 50 advocates, drawn from government agencies, human rights and civil society groups, in the Upper West Region, at Wa.

The workshop was organized by the Coalition on the Right to Information, a network of civil society organizations and individuals advocating for the RTI law in Ghana.

The coalition is undertaking multiple advocacy activities through out the country to create awareness and support for the Bill and to ensure that the Bill reflect international standards.

Mr. Francis Ameyibor, a staff of the Ghana News Agency, said the Bill when passed into law, would strengthen democratic principles and values in the country.

He urged the participants to prepare towards contributing to the Bill when the Parliamentary Committee goes round the country for consultations to seek public views.

Mr. Cletus Azangweo, former director, Public Records-Archives and Administration Department, noted that proper record management would play an important role in the operation of the RTI Law.

He observed that there was no clear strategy for information management in the country and suggested the institution of a legislation to govern the management of records.