The decades old RTI Bill to empower the public and corruption watchers to demand accountability from public officers, was laid in Parliament at the last sitting of the House on Friday, March 23.

A statement issued by the groups Monday, noted that while they were happy for the development, they are also mindful it had previously entered parliament on a number of occasions but failed to be passed.

“The Bill presented to Parliament was in partial fulfillment of the promise made to Ghanaians by H.E President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to have the near two decades old Bill laid and passed before Parliament rises in March 2018.

“Following this promise, the RTI Coalition and the RTI Campaign Action Group initiated a coordinated campaign for the speedy passage of the Bill and activated a 10 Day Countdown for government to, at the minimum table the RTI Bill before Parliament rose on Friday, 23rd March 2018.

“The action taken by H.E the President to present the Bill to Parliament is a signal that the President is committed to the passage of the RTI Bill. We however note that the Bill has gone through similar processes in 2010, 2013 and 2016 without being passed by successive Parliaments.

“We take note that the Bill has been referred to the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs and the Communications Committee of Parliament which has to decide whether or not the Bill will be considered under a certificate of urgency. Whatever the decision in this regard, the RTI Coalition and the RTI Campaign Action Group will be monitoring the processes very closely when Parliament resumes in May. In the interim the Group will undertake a series of capacity building activities to increase the knowledge of media and citizens on the content and benefits of the bill.

“While we commend government for this effort, we would like to call on Parliament to expedite action on the Bill and ensure its passage during the second meeting of Parliament.

“God Bless Ghana!”