The Access to Information Act was enacted three years ago, but is yet to become operational. This Act paves the way for transparency in governance. It makes provision not only for the right for a person to access information held by public authorities or the persons providing services for them, but for an oversight institution (the ATI Commission) that monitors and regulates the process. It also makes provision to follow in accessing information under the Act.
The ATI Commissioners were sworn-in recently but how soon will they commence operation? Have they got an office? Do they have a budget?
We have information officers in almost all public institutions but are they set to deliver? Has there already been a categorization of documents that can and cannot be disclosed?
Foroyaa will get in touch with the ministry of information to find out how far preparations have gone and how soon the ATI Act will be in operation?
