The Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Kwame Acheampong has said that the Right to Information (RTI) Act will help fight corrupt activities in the country.
According to the Regional Minister, the Right to Information law empowers all persons to have access to information from public institutions and relevant private bodies in order to promote a culture of transparency and accountability.
Hon. Acheampong said that laws are used to administer every country, hence the Act will also help to deal with bribery and corruption, misdirection of country funds, electoral fraud and many other corrupt activities.
Speaking to the press during a public lecture, organised by the Right To Information Commission in Koforidua to educate the stakeholders on the Act, the Minister said that the law will help Ghanaians to probe into any information of their desires.
He also stated that the Act will promote fairness, transparency and public accountability in the country as well as prevent any bad leadership to impose laws on Ghanaians.
The minister explained that the act will ensure responsive governance and citizen participation in the development dialogue as it promotes the fight against corruption and economic crimes.
He further said that the Right to Information Commission is an independent body, established to safeguard the constitutional right to information.
“Ghanaians must learn the information Act and exercise their freedom as informed citizens as the Act deals with every Ghanaian who will go against it. I commend the decision by President Akufo-Addo for implementing the Right to Information Bill into law which will help strengthen democratic and good governance.
Mr Acheampong averred that the steps were taken by President Akuffo Addo towards the realization of the Right to Information Law demonstrate, once again, the determination of his administration to adhere to the principles of accountable governance, entrench democracy, and vigorously fight corruption.
Mr Yaw Sarpong Boateng, the Executive Secretary of the Right to Information Commission, on his part also stated that the Right to Information Commission is working hard to educate the general public on the act.
Mr Yaw Sarpong added that this would make it easier for the people to enjoy the right to access information as it is enshrined in the 1992 constitution.
He indicated that the Act creates an obligation for public institutions and relevant private bodies to provide information when requested and also creates a way for educating the public on the RTI Act, 2019 (Act 989).
He stated that Act 989 gives the RTI commission the mandate to promote, monitor, protect and enforce the right to information that is granted to a person under Article 21 (1) of the constitution.
He said that their focus is to assist Ghanaians to get the information of their desire hence Ghanaians must obey the law as the commission is touring the regions to provide education on the Act.
Meanwhile, President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, on Tuesday, 21st May 2019, gave assent to the Right to Information Act, at a brief event at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency.
Before giving assent to the Act, President Akufo-Addo expressed his satisfaction that the passing of the Act came into effect during his time as President, and during the time of the 7th Parliament.
He congratulated the 7th Parliament for its courage, sense of responsibility and commitment to good governance in passing this significant piece of legislation.
The President inaugurated the Governing Board of the Right to Information Commission at a ceremony at Jubilee House, the seat of the nation’s presidency.
The Commission is chaired by Mr Justice K.A. Ofori-Atta, a retired High Court Judge of good repute, with its Executive Secretary being Mr Yaw Sarpong Boateng, a distinguished lawyer, who will be responsible for coordinating the administrative activities of the Commission.
Other members of the Board are Mrs Elizabeth Asare (Deputy Chairperson), Ms Victoria D. E. Susuawu (Member), Dr Edith Dankwa ((Member), Nana Kwame Duah (Member), and Mr David Oppon-Kusi (Member).
Source: Mybrytnewsroom.com/Solomon Nartey