General News

Livestream: PM Express discusses ‘Pricing the right: The case of elusive freedom of information law’

The Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2019 (Act 989) was passed on 26 March 2019 by the Parliament of Ghana. It received Presidential assent on May 21, 2019 and became effective in January, 2020.

Since its enactment, concerns have been raised over implementation, including alleged infringements regarding fees charged for acquiring information from state departments and agencies.

Last week, a High Court uphold the National Communications Authority’s (NCA) decision to charge the Media Foundation for Africa (MFWA), fees for providing the full list of all authorised FM stations as of the second quarter of 2020.

The NCA demanded GHC2,000 for the service. However, the MFWA claimed the fee was unlawful, unreasonable, unfair, and in violation of its constitutional and fundamental right to access information, hence the suit.

The MFWA had contended that the NCA’s demand flouted the RTI Law. But the Court ruled otherwise and asked MFWA to pay GHC1,500.00.

The MFWA Director was disappointed about the ruling.

Joy News’ Evans Mensah will host the following guests; Executive Director, MFWA, Sulemana Braimah, Director for Advocacy and Policy Engagement, CDD Ghana, Kojo Pumpuni Asante, Deputy Ranking Member of Parliament, Sam George, Free Lance Journalist and Anti-corruption campaigner and Manasseh Azure Awuni as they discuss the topic for tonight.


Source: Ghana News

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