Abstract:
In recent years there has been a drive towards
the passage and implementation of freedom of
information (FOI) legislations in many countries.
Access to information is gaining acceptance as a
necessary tool in ensuring the participation of
the citizenry in democratic governance. An
effective implementation of a freedom of
information law is expected to lead to an open,
transparent and accountable society. This paper
identifies some countries which have passed and
implemented the FOI laws and the relevance of
the law in the Ghanaian context. Some basic
elements of FOI are provided, a summary of the
Ghanaian draft bill given and the basic
information infrastructure in the country
examined. The paper argues that an effective
records management system is required to ensure
a successful implementation of a freedom of
information law and cites from the United
Kingdom and India Acts to support this position.
Some weaknesses of the bill such as, lack of an
impartial internal review procedure, independent
implementing and monitoring authorities are
identified and suggestion made for solving these
problems.