Do not raise expectations on Right to Information Law – MP

Mr Frederick Opare-Ansah, Member of Parliament for Suhum, has cautioned civil society groups against raising the expectations of the public on the Right to Information law so as to prevent confusion in the society.

He said the government information process was not well organized and that without a proper national database the useful effects of the law would not be felt.

Mr Opare-Ansah, who is a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Information and Deputy Minority Chief Whip, said a proper database and good record keeping was important for every citizen who sought information in all Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

He said this when a team from the Eastern Regional Coalition on the Right to Information (RTI) called on him at Suhum to share ideas on the bill which was currently before Parliament.

He said the nationwide consultation process did not meet its set target adding that Eastern Regional Consultative meeting did not even attract about 500 people out of a population of over three million.

He gave the assurance that Parliament would carefully study all the issues involved in the Right to Information Law to ensure its proper application.

Mr Edmund Quaynor, the Regional Coordinator of the RTI, cited the appeals process, fee requirements and timely access as some of the concerns being raised by the coalition and urged Parliament to consider them.

He said Ghana’s democracy was being threatened by rumour mongering because people did not have access to information hence there was the need for the RTI law to be passed to check those divisive tendencies.

Source: GNA