Lawyer Wants Appointment of Patriotic RTI Commissioners
A private legal practitioner, Akoto Ampaw, has appealed to the government to ensure that the appointment of the first members of Right To Information (RTI) Commission “would be guided by principle of ensuring long-term interest of the country’s democracy rather than creating an avenue for party cronies.”
He said that the ‘art and culture’ of building institutions in Ghana has become what he called a ‘pervasive cultural deficit that has been masterminded by interest groups who largely benefitted from ineffective institutions.’
Mr. Ampaw was speaking at a public forum held in Accra on Wednesday which was organised under the theme: “Implementation of the Right to Information Law: How will Ghana be different?”
He stated that the effectiveness of the RTI Commission as a strong institution would require its first members “to lay a foundation of independence and neutrality from political and private interests. Appointment of the first members of the commission should not be based on job for the boys,” he insisted.
He highlighted the need for a robust and responsive RTI framework and institutions that would continuously test laws and mount pressures to change “the deeply rooted culture of secrecy in governance characterised by non disclosure of information.”
Mr. Ampaw commended the Minister of Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, for his effort towards implementing the roadmap of the RTI law and also called for more stakeholder support to help in that regard.
Speaking on behalf of the Information Minister, a technical director at the ministry, Selasi Abode-Spencer, said a roadmap towards implementing the RTI law had suffered a delay due to financial constraints.
“The ministry of finance has, however, committed funds to facilitate the project and we are working assiduously to have these funds released,” he said.
By Issah Mohammed