The President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, yesterday signed the Right to Information (RTI) Act into law and took credit for it.
The President walked the talk when he publicly assented to the RTI, at a brief ceremony at the Jubilee House, in Accra.
“I am satisfied that the passage of the Act came into effect during my time as President and in the time of the 7th Parliament.
“I want to congratulate the 7th Parliament for its courage, sense of responsibility and commitment to good governance in passing this significant piece of legislation,” the President said.
The ceremony yesterday marked a significant achievement for the President who has been part of the political class that has been accused of frustrating the passage of the RTI into law.
It has been a long struggle over many years, by civil society organisations, media, faith based organisations to put pressure on Parliament to pass the law.
Indeed, the President deserves commendations for the courage to sign the Act into law when many politicians would often display public support for the RTI but resent it in private.
It is a matter of public knowledge that the nonchalant of politicians towards the RTI bill, made it the oldest bill in Parliament until it was passed into an Act this year.
In all honesty, the President had promised on a number of occasions in the past that as soon as the bill is passed, he would not hesitate to sign it into law.
He has indeed lived up to expectation and it is a credit to the government and Parliament for creating the opportunity for the politicians to catch up with the aspirations of the people.
Indeed, the law will provide for the implementation of constitutional right to information held by any public institution, and foster a culture of transparency and accountability in public affairs.
That, according to the President, “should enhance the quality of governance of our country, and provide a critical tool in the fight against corruption in public life”.
Although the law comes into effect in the financial year of 2020, because of the financial consequences in the implementation of the law, we commend the President and all those who made it possible for the passage of the law.
We also salute civil society and the media for putting up a good fight which has finally culminated into the passage of the law.
We say Ayekoo to all Ghanaians for a law that would help involve more people in politics and increase trust in governance.
