By BintaJaiteh
The Gambia Press Union in collaboration with Civil Society Organization has launched a coalition on access to Information.
The launched coalition is meant for purpose of knowing your right, and freedom of expression and the program was held at the YMCA opposite MDI on Monday.
The coalition, among other things, is to help the citizen to know their right to have access to information, and create awareness about their fundamental human right.
Speaking at the press briefing, John Charles Njie, chairman of the Civil Society Organization said “International Access to information day, known as right to information day, holds every year.”
He disclosed that the “day is commemorated in recognition of people’s right to access government held information and the importance of citizens right to information.”
According to him, the day is indeed a great day to all Gambians as they have to remind the duty bearers and the Government as a body to know their right as citizens and taxpayer’s access to information on what they are doing.
Currently, he said, in The Gambia the flow of information from the Government to the citizens has numerous challenges, the web sites of many Ministries and Departments does not have the relevant information.
According to him, “most web sites lack financial or budgetary information. Response to written request is poorly handled.”
Chairman Njie therefore urged the National Assembly Members to help the executive to realize one of their key campaign’s promises which is enactment of access to information of law
Lamin Jahateh, Program Manager of Gambia Press Union (GPU) highlighted on the meaning and importance of access to information and how relevant it is to the general public.