The Coalition of the Right to Information, a group formed to promote enhanced accountability and transparency in government on Monday said the Right of Information bill must take cognizance of the chieftaincy institution. "There can be no doubt that the institution wields considerable political authority and undertakes functions that impinge on the public interest of their people". Mr. Akoto Ampaw, member of the coalition, said this at a public lecture on the coalition's concerns on the bill, which is currently at the cabinet level. He said it is only fair and proper that, chiefs be covered by the bill as public organs to reflect the realities in society. Mr. Ampaw said the coalition also believed that, due to the role of private bodies in various facets of social-economic life, they should be covered by provisions of the substantive legislation and not under subsidiary legislation. He said, since the right of information is a fundamental right of citizens, international best practice required that fee structure and requirements were simple and reduced to the barest minimum. Mr. Ampaw called for an independent and effective enforcement mechanism whose functions would be to promote understanding of these rights and its implications on the general citizenry. Ms. Catherine Bain, World Bank representative said the implementation of the right of information can be costly and is important that there was a transition period for the state and civil society to build its capacity. She said with the discovery of large quantities of commercial oil in the country, steps must be taken to ensure that it was used as a blessing for all citizens. Source: GNA