National Chief Imam joins Right To Information Campaign

Accra, Sept. 02, GNA - The National Chief Imam, Sheikh Usman Nuhu Sharabutu, on Wednesday joined the Rights to Information (RTI) campaign with a call on the government to ensure the passage of a comprehensive RTI law in Ghana before the end of the year. Speaking through a spokesperson, Alhaji Mama Gado Mohammed, the Chief Imam noted that the recognition and protection of the right to information would be of great benefit to the country. The Chief Imam, a patron for human rights awareness in the Muslim community, stated his position during a working meeting with members of the RTI Coalition in Accra.

The meeting offered the two bodies opportunity to share knowledge and experiences for the promulgation of RTI in Ghana. The Chief Imam explained that the RTI law would serve the interests of the country especially the Muslims, majority of whom were already impoverished, marginalised and disempowered. "The Right to Information law would create that empowering tool for citizens, especially the marginalised, to demand greater protection of their rights, demand accountability from their leaders and monitor the use of public resources".

Mr Akoto Ampaw, a member of the Coalition on the Right to Information, expressed reverence for the Chief Imam's leadership role in enhancing peace and harmony among the people of Ghana. He reiterated the important role a right to information law would serve to enhance the work of the Coalition, especially in promoting human rights within the Muslim constituency. Mr Ampaw echoed the need to engage the public to understand what the right to information was all about and how it would affect members of the society, stressing that "the right to information is for the people and not politicians.

"As primary beneficiaries of this law, the people must take a keen interest in appreciating the fundamental role it would play in the democratic practice of the country."

Nana Oye Lithur, a legal practitioner and prominent human rights activist, noted that the Chief Imam's Office, as an institution, was strategically placed to influence government and the people to support the passage of this vital legislation. She commended the Chief Imam for accepting to take a proactive role in advancing the cause of the coalition which was to ensure that government took steps to pass the law.

She further noted that the Muslim community wielded a level of influence in all arms of government, and with such authority had the ability to make demands and influence policy decisions. The meeting was deemed necessary in the wake of the sensitisation series conducted by the Coalition across different sectors and stakeholders in the Ghanaian community. The civil society campaign advancing the need for the right to information legislation comes in the wake of government's assurance to pass the right to information Bill, which has been at the draft stage since 2003.

The Bill which was recently submitted to Cabinet, is currently being reviewed by members of the Cabinet on the instructions of the Ghana's President before further steps are taken to place it before Parliament.