Ghanaian journalists are reminding government that Ghana is of age for the passage of the Right to Information Bill in order to encourage the work of journalists and the press at large.
The Right to Information Bill is in line with the Article 21 (1) (f) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana which states that ” All [ads1]persons shall have the right to information subject to such qualifications and law as are necessary in a democratic society “. In an exclusive interview with a cross section of media in the country, most journalists emphasis that the Bill if passed will not only project the Press but also bring to National Front issues concern towards nation building.
” The passing of the RTI is a good idea. This will let the journalists get to know what actually is going on and how our President and his government is managing our resources. It will help a lot of Ghanaians to know about the government in terms of development”. Jerry of Hi Fm explained further.
The Right to Information Bill is a fundamental Human Right guaranteed by the country’s 1992 Constitution and recognized as a rght under International Convection on Human Rights. Most journalists are of the view that the Bill when passed, protects journalists in line of duty and also create avenue for access to vital information. This they agreed will allow journalists probe into state institutions with issues of accountability and without fear or favor.
Faisel Iddrisu, a broadcast journalist and a Political science student at the Evangelical Presbyterian University College, Ho believes that the Right to Information Bill is a citizen empowerment.
” The Right to Information Bill is a citizen empowerment for the fight against corruption and misleading and in most cases to bring government to the toe of accountability. The Right to Information Bill will offer the journalist the greatest opportunity to have access to anything relevant that would make a good news, anything relevant that will lend credence to our stories. So if we have this RTI passed, it will enhance and aid journalists work”.
” And to the citizenry, it is going to empower them more in the fight against corruption and misleadings in the government. Once the Bill is there, the law is there to support us, you have a fair ground in searching for information at the right place. But without that it protects certain kind of personalities. It protects certain institutions so have difficulty in access to information but once this Bill is passed, you are free to go?”. Faisel believed.
The Right to Information Bill was introduced under former President Jerry John Rawllings. The draft Was reviewed in 2003, 2005 and 2007. The Bill is still in the Parliament House awaiting passage into full usage by citizens.
By: Kofi Tamakloe.
