By: Kebba AF Touray and Aisha Jarjue
The National Assembly on Tuesday, 23 July 2024 confirmed the appointments of commissioners of the Access to Information Commission (ATI).
The motion to confirm the said appointments was tabled before the plenary by the Information Minister, Dr. Ismaila Ceesay for scrutiny, consideration and confirmation, on Monday, 8 July 2024.
The framework and procedure for the appointment of persons as Commissioners in the Access to Information Commission are established in the Access to Information Act, 2021.
The assembly refereed the motion to the Public Appointments Committee to conduct findings and report back to the plenary.
The Public Appointments Committee, in the execution of its legislative assignment, held a meeting on Wednesday, 17 July 2024 and Monday, 22 July, 2024 to consider the confirmation of persons appointed as commissioners and the proposed remuneration package of the Access to Information Commissioners.
After its consultative engagements with stakeholders, the committee on 23 July 2024 presented its report to the plenary for scrutiny, consideration and approval, and subsequent confirmation of the said commissioners.
The report briefly outlines the mandate of the Committee, the evidence received, details of proceedings, and recommendations of the Committee during the consideration process.
The committee deployed methodologies such as screening of credentials, and requests for production of documents, consultations with officials from PMO, PSC, MOFEA, MOIN & SOE Commission.
The Committee was aided by the Ministry for Information (MOIN), Personnel Management Office (PMO), an official from State Owned Enterprises (SOE), Ministry for Finance and Economic Affairs and the Public Service Commission (PSC) in the production of documentary evidence to ascertain facts regarding the status of the shortlisted persons.
The committee, at the conclusion of their assignment, recommended the Assembly to confirm the five persons appointed as Commissioners to the Access to Information Commission,
It also recommended to the Assembly, the approval of the remuneration package of the Commissioners as reviewed by the Committee.
The Appointments committee also observes and recommends that the Minister for Information look into Section 46 of the Access to Information Act 2021, regarding the limitation on outside work which states that “A Commissioner shall not hold any other job, occupy or engage in any trade or profession for financial gain”.
This, the committee believes, limits potential commissioners from serving on the Commission and could restrict competent people from outside work.
The committee also recommended that the Ministry of Finance and the Personnel Management Office (PMO) come up with a guide or policy document in determining the remuneration of Commissioners across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).
The parliament subsequently approved the appointments into the ATI commission, and the ATI Commission members are NenehMacdouall Gaye – Chairperson, John Charles Njie – Vice Chairperson, Baboucarr Cham – Member, Bai Emil Touray – Member, and Ya Amie Touray – Member
