The Gambia Press Union In collaboration with CSOs, recently concluded a day sensitisation forum at an Event In Basse, URR, with Women Leaders, Youths, Security Personnel and other Regional Authorities on Access to Information Law.
Access to Information Law gives everyone a legal right to access information held by public bodies, including the Executive, the Legislature, the Judiciary and state-owned enterprises amongst others. Access to Information Law also covers private bodies receiving public funds or performing public functions.
The Program Manager at the Gambia Press Union Lamin Jahateh said the purpose of the event is to mobilize and enlighten citizens about Access to Information Law. Highlighting the enactment process of access to information bill, which is currently awaiting its third reading in the National Assembly.
Mr. Jahateh urges the participants to engage their various district parliamentarians to support the bill.
In West Africa, many States have taken legislative steps to open space and make access to information a fundamental right, but there are some who are lagging behind and still don’t have access to information laws, including The Gambia.
Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director of Beakanyang says passing access to information bill will contribute immensely on informing citizens about things that matter to them. Mr. Jawneh refuted claims that the Access to Information bill is only meant to support the rights of journalists.
On behalf of the participants, Ida S. Baldeh, a youth volunteer urges her colleagues to share the information received during the engagement.
Passing access to Information bill is important because the most obvious beneficiary is the public who want to hold public institutions, elected officials and other relevant private bodies accountable to encourage transparency and help prevent corruption.
However, it must be noted that many of the West African countries that have passed such laws have a very poor record in implementing. It must be hoped that those taking part in these sessions not only get their local and national representatives to support the bill; they must pressure them to ensure there is compliance, once it comes into law.
The Program Manager at the Gambia Press Union Lamin Jahateh said the purpose of the event is to mobilize and enlighten citizens about Access to Information Law. Highlighting the enactment process of access to information bill, which is currently awaiting its third reading in the National Assembly.
Mr. Jahateh urges the participants to engage their various district parliamentarians to support the bill.
In West Africa, many States have taken legislative steps to open space and make access to information a fundamental right, but there are some who are lagging behind and still don’t have access to information laws, including The Gambia.
Nfamara Jawneh, Executive Director of Beakanyang says passing access to information bill will contribute immensely on informing citizens about things that matter to them. Mr. Jawneh refuted claims that the Access to Information bill is only meant to support the rights of journalists.
On behalf of the participants, Ida S. Baldeh, a youth volunteer urges her colleagues to share the information received during the engagement.
Passing access to Information bill is important because the most obvious beneficiary is the public who want to hold public institutions, elected officials and other relevant private bodies accountable to encourage transparency and help prevent corruption.
However, it must be noted that many of the West African countries that have passed such laws have a very poor record in implementing. It must be hoped that those taking part in these sessions not only get their local and national representatives to support the bill; they must pressure them to ensure there is compliance, once it comes into law.