He said the limited days available to the house makes it impossible for it to consider the bill even if it is filed under a certificate of urgency.

The Vice President, Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, after increased agitations from civil society groups like the Right to Information Coalition, pushing for the passage of the Bill, announced on Monday that the revised version of the Right to Information Bill has been approved by Cabinet and forwarded to Parliament.

“Cabinet has given approval for the Right to Information Bill to be laid in Parliament for debate and approval because it is very critical that we pass the Right to Information Bill,” Dr. Bawumia stated during the Norway-Ghana Business and Investment Forum.

But according to Inusah Fuseini, who’s also the MP for Tamale Central, Parliament’s outlined business for this week did not indicate that the bill will be laid before the house rises on Friday. He however did not rule out the possibility that it could be introduced to the house this week.

“There simply is no way [it can be passed in this session]. I can’t see how we can work within 4 days to pass that bill into law. And you want a good product, you want the bill to stand the test of time. Let’s just get the executive to lay the bill…. The most important is for the bill to be laid now in parliament so that we can take it through the normal legislative process. That will mean the next time we return to the house,” he said.

‘We’ll sit during recess’

Inusah Fuseini said the Committee has agreed to sit during Parliament’s recess to consider the bill and prepare its report on it to ensure that it is immediately put before the house when it resumes.

“My committee has said that because of the importance of the bill, even if the executive delay in laying the bill we will be minded to sit during the recess to consider all the proprietary steps towards a report in parliament when we return,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Committee and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Offinso South Constituency, Ben Abdallah assured that the government will lay the bill before the house before Friday, March 23, 2018, when it rises to go on recess.

‘RTI will be passed by July 2018’

The Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Osei Kyei Mensah-Bonsu in November 2017 said parliament would finish work on the bill by the second meeting of the next session of the house which translates to July 2018.

Speaking at a training programme for journalists in Parliament, he said the 7th Parliament of the 4th Republic will surely work hard to pass the Bill.

About RTI

The right to information is a fundamental human right guaranteed by the country’s 1992 Constitution and recognized as a right under International Conventions on Human rights.

The bill as it has been drafted, is to give substance to Article 21 (1) (f) of the Constitution which states that “All persons shall have the right to information subject to such qualifications and laws as are necessary in a democratic society”.

The back and forth

The Right to Information Bill was first drafted in 1999 under the former president, Jerry John Rawlings. Various advocacy groups emerged to press for the immediate passing of the bill into law in 2002. The draft bill was reviewed in 2003, 2005 and 2007.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) in its 2008 and 2012 election manifestos promised to ensure the bill is passed. In 2010, the bill was presented to Parliament for consideration.

In 2011, the government signed unto the Open Government Partnership (OGP) Initiative with a commitment to pass by the bill. In November 2013, the bill was formally laid before parliament.

Former Attorney General, Deputy Dominic Ayine in 2015, moved the bill for second reading in Parliament. In October 2016, the bill was withdrawn and a replaced with a new one which was immediately laid.

Following the dissolution of the Sixth Parliament of the Fourth Republic and the swearing-in of new Parliament in January 2017, the bill is no longer in parliament.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post RTI Bill can’t be passed before Parliament’s break on Friday – Inusah appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

They beat their counterparts from the Central University, Islamic University College, and Accra Technical Universtiy in the debate on the motion: “Which of these will you prioritise and why: The Special Prosecutor or Right to Information Law”.

The debate was held at the University of Ghana’s Balme Library Seminar Room on Wednesday, December 6, 2017 with over 200 guests in attendance.

The overreaching theme for the debate was “Empowering the Youth in the Fight Against Corruption”.

The aim of the debate was to raise awareness on corruption among the youth and engage them to suggest policy recommendations on how to curb the canker.

The University of Ghana was represented by Level 400 Political Science students; Emmanuel Gerald Arhin and Fareed Gombilla who advanced arguments for prioritizing as a matter of urgency, the Right to Information Bill.

They comfortably beat their opponents from the Islamic University College, represented by Abubakar Abdul-Aziz and Mohammed Osman Dogo with the argument that, the Office of the Special Prosecutor could not function effectively without access to information.

The UG team argued that, the best way to tackle corruption in the country was to pass the Right to Information Bill as the citizens would be able to hold those in public office accountable for their actions armed with relevant information.

They reiterated their stance by stating that, with a Right to Information law in place, corruption could be minimised and offenders brought to book.

Central University College, represented by Latifa Alhassan and Joshua Batsa Narh beat Accra Technical University represented by Richard Sirate and Obodai Bright.

Central University College emerged the first runners-up with Accra Technical University and Islamic University College in a tie for third place.

Despite the passage of the Special Prosecutor Bill, there appears to be a strong line of argument that, a Right to Information law still remains one of the key outstanding tools required to effectively tackle corruption in Ghana.

This, many observers feel together with the Special Prosecutor Law will ensure that the fight against corruption is successful.

The Debate was supported by the US Embassy in Ghana.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post UG team wins IEA anti-corruption week debate contest appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.