MPs pass access to information bill

The members of National Assembly have unanimously passed access to information bill after two years debate.

The bill now gives Gambians the legal right to seek information from public officials and through the Courts. It has been widely welcomed by Gambian journalists, who have described the adoption as ‘great news’.

“Finally, Gambia’s National Assembly just passed the Access to Information Bill, 2021. The bill was first read at the Assembly in December 2019. What is now left is for the President of the Republic to assent to it,” the Gambia Press Union said in a brief statement shared on its social media platform.

In 2016, Gambia Press Union with the support of civil society organizations initiated the bill and submitted it to National Assembly in December 2019. And the nation’s lawmakers have since been debating the bill.

The bill now will allow citizens, journalists, students and civil society organizations to easily access government data and promote transparency, accountability good governance and development by educating people about their rights

It will also ensure transparency, strengthen the culture of provision of information, promote people’s participation in good governance, ensure accountability in the conduct of institutions, and combat corruption; and promote respect for human rights, promote effective, equitable and inexpensive exercise of the right of access to information. And it’s expected to establish clear and concise procedures for requesting and providing information held by public bodies and private bodies receiving public funds or performing public functions of providing public service.

In December of 2019 the Gambia Press Union said it will be a great achievement for this country and citizens in quest for democracy and progress.