Audio By Carbonatix
The Majority Leader says Parliament will not be rushed into passing the Right to Information Bill.
Cletus Avorka says Parliament has a responsibility to ensure that it serves the interest of the electorate and that any action that is not in the interest of the people will not be encouraged.
“Our position is that Parliament does not have a special interest in rushing through this bill to the detriment of the people of this country. I think that a good law is a law that is well-informed. In other words, a good law is a law which stakeholders had an input in it and which at the end of the day the law will set the objective for which it was passed,” he said.
Mr Avorka’s comment follows agitations by the Coalition to the Freedom of Information Bill that the law is being rushed through Parliament although public input is minimal.
The coalition says drafts of the bill cannot be found at the Assembly Press, a government publishing house, where the public could buy copies and fill themselves in on provisions in the bill.
A member of the coalition, Akoto Ampaw, told the Super Morning Show the coalition has not been impressed with the action of Parliament which is trying to speed the passage to qualify for some funding from the IMF.
The International Monetary Fund requires the government of Ghana to pass the bill as a trigger to the release of some $150 million, Mr Ampaw emphasized.
The House had given, Tuesday, 3rd March, 2010 as deadline for the submission of inputs from the public, a situation Mr Ampaw said does not sit well with members of the coalition.
But Mr Avorka, who is also Member of Parliament for Zebilla in the Upper East Region said Parliament would consider revising the deadline.
The MP however said the bill was necessary to improve access to information as well as ensure good governance.
Story by Fiifi Koomson/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Tags:
DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.
Latest Stories
-
Mahama Ayariga leads NDC delegation to Bawku ahead of Samanpiid Festival
18 minutes -
Edem warns youth against drug abuse at 9th Eledzi Health Walk
4 hours -
Suspension of new DVLA Plate: Abuakwa South MP warns of insurance and public safety risks
4 hours -
Ghana’s Evans Kyere-Mensah nominated to World Agriculture Forum Council
5 hours -
Creative Canvas 2025: King Promise — The systems player
5 hours -
Wherever we go, our polling station executives are yearning for Dr Bawumia – NPP coordinators
5 hours -
Agricultural cooperatives emerging as climate champions in rural Ghana
6 hours -
Fire Service rescues two in truck accident at Asukawkaw
6 hours -
Ashland Foundation donates food items to Krachi Local Prison
6 hours -
Akatsi North DCE warns PWD beneficiaries against selling livelihood support items
6 hours -
Salaga South MP calls for unity and peace at Kulaw 2025 Youth Homecoming
7 hours -
GPL 2025/2026: Gold Stars triumph over Dreams in five-goal thriller
8 hours -
Ibrahim Mahama supports disability groups with Christmas donation
8 hours -
2025/26 GPL: Berekum Chelsea come from behind to beat XI Wonders 3-1
8 hours -
NACOC dismantles drug dens in Eastern and Greater Accra regions in ‘Operation White Ember’
8 hours
