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The Right to Information Bill (RTI) that was drafted in 1999, after going through several reviews over the years have finally been given Presidential assent by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akuffo Addo, the President of the Republic of Ghana. The President deserves congratulations for having this long journey coming to an end under his leadership.
The RTI law indeed is a victory for Democracy in Ghana. The law is a clear demonstration of what a determined and purposeful people can achieve in the midst of delays, frustrations and attacks. Today the many Civil Society Organizations, Media Houses, Members of Parliament, Donor Organizations, Faith Based Leaders and many more who identified themselves with the process of getting the RTI Bill passed into law and singed by the President, whether dead or alive, have truly ‘defended forever the cause of freedom and of right,’ and must be celebrated as dedicated sons and daughters of Ghana.
The RTI law is to enable citizens to hold governments accountable, to ensure that there is a high level of transparency in governance of the country through having access to relevant information. Ghana has now joined some other African countries that have adopted the law. These countries include: South Africa, Angola, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, and Guinea. It must be noted that Ghana and some of these countries already have great laws that have remained sleeping giants in law books.
The zeal and enthusiasm that brought the RTI bill into law must not die with the given of Presidential assent to the bill. The RTI law that will come into operation in January 2020 must become a household concept through intensified public education. Churches, Mosques, academic institutions and the media must provide oxygen to the new law for it to offer us transparency, accountability, and good governance. The campaign for the effective implementation of the RTI law must start now.
Rev Dr Kwabena Opuni-Frimpong
Department of Religious Studies
KNUST Kumasi
Website: kopunifrimpong.org
