The Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI) Ghana says Parliament has made good progress after it considered all Ninety-two (92) clauses in the Right to Information Bill 2018.
“The Coalition commends the effort by this Parliament to act with urgency in ensuring the speedy passage of the RTI Bill following the re-opening of Parliament just four days ago” the Coalition said in a Press Statement.
The Coalition however drew attention to two issues they believe need to be rectified as far as the Bill is concerned.
“First, amendments effected to Clause 13 are still inadequate to cure its negative effect. Clause 13 exempts information that reveals an opinion, advice, recommendation, consultation or deliberation made to any public institution because it is likely to undermine the institution’s deliberative processes” the statement said and added that though the Coalition acknowledges the need to facilitate the effective functioning of the government and the State, any limits to the constitutional right to information must be narrowly constructed. The Coalition believes the current draft of Clause 13 dilutes the right to information.
The Coalition also is concerned about the proposal by MP for Suhum; Frederick Opare Ansah advocating a 12-month transition and implementation period. The Coalition believes this proposal should be considered with caution. “There have been several negative experiences from African countries where a transition clause has led to non-implementation of the law” the statement observed.
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