Community radio broadcasters from five regions are going through a two-week internship training on Ghana?s existing laws and right to access information to better engage citizens in participatory governance process.
The broadcasters would receive updates on legal issues, principally, Section 16 (1) of the Local Government Act of 1993 (Act 462) to empower them to promote citizens? right to information and participation in local governance.
The law requires a member of a District Assembly to maintain close contact with, and consult the people of the electoral area on issues to be discussed in the District Assembly and collate their views, opinions and proposals towards the formulation of policies and projects for their wellbeing.
Mrs Ugonna Ukaigwe, Project Coordinator of the Right to Information Coalition, Ghana, said it was crucial for Ghana to adopt an inclusive and apt information law to enhance its democracy.
She said the emphasis should not be just receiving information but on accessing the right information so that journalists could sufficiently educate the populace on the participatory governance system.
She said: ?Governance is not about using big, big grammar, it is about getting regular flow of drinking water, tarred roads, accessing quality healthcare and accessing the right kind of information.?
Mrs Ukaigwe said The Right to Information Law was necessary to remove the culture of secrecy embedded in the African cultural set up that somewhat restricts citizens from effectively participating in the governance process.
She noted that the current form of Ghana?s RTI Bill before parliament could be described as a Bill preventing persons? access to information, adding, indeed the bill is synonymous with the ?right to withhold information,? rather than access.
This is because Ghana?s RTI Bill requires 21 working days before a request is considered and 14 days to determine whether or not the information will be given. Another 14 days is required for the information requested to be produced.
The RTI coalition described the timelines as ?excessive and undermining the right to information?.
Mrs Ukaigwe explained that: ?democracy is not for fun, it is real, and largely depends on citizen?s access to the right kind of information, which fundamentally could help to discourage corrupt practices and enhance social wellbeing.?
Ms Evelyn Araba Paintsil, a participant, told the Ghana News Agency that it was extremely frustrating to get information on sanitation, health and education from duty-bearers.
?It is really, really difficult to get information from officers in public positions, even if it is about health or commenting on concerns raised by citizens, they feel reluctant to give information to those they are supposed to be serving,? she added.
The Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative has been carrying out chains of activities to promote RTI in Ghana and the respect for existing laws.
The internship programme is the second phase for community broadcasters, with the first phase ending in 2012.
GNA
