RTI Coalition calls for a transparency law in Ghana
9 Jun, 2013In a letter dated May 28, 2013, the Coalition on the Right To Information (RTI) has called on President John Dramani Mahama to implement his election promise of transparency in the country. In a statement signed by Ms Esther Ahulu, RTI Project Officer, the President of Ghana has been requested to ensure that the RTI Bill is presented to the honourable House for consideration.
The Ghana RTI Bill had tossed going back and forth between respective governments during the past 10 years. On February 5, 2010, it was placed before Parliament but no decision was taken and the matter was referred to the Parliamentary joint committees on Communication and Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs for a detailed examination.
As per the Standing Orders of the Parliament that all bills pending before the last Parliament be reverted to Cabinet, the Bill was currently lying with the Cabinet. The RTI Coalition has proposed that all the amendments accepted by the Parliamentary Joint Committees of the last Parliament should be incorporated in the Bill before returning it to the Parliament.
The RTI Coalition a network of Civil Society Organisations working for the passage of a democratic RTI law that empowers the people's right to information, and enhances governmental accountability to citizens.