By Alpha B Bah
Access to information is seen as a fundamental pillar in the strive towards all sustainable development goals efforts. In recognition of its importance, the United Nations Scientific Education and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has marked 28th September as the “International Day for Universal Access to Information”.
The day was recently commemorated by the Gambia Commission for UNESCO in collaboration with The Gambia Press Union (GPU) at a local hotel in Bijilo.
Madam Maimuna Sidibeh, Principal Programme Officer of UNESCO-NATCOM, said universal access to information is a fundamental human right that plays a pivotal role in empowering citizens, in facilitating fair debates and giving equal opportunities.
“It is a driving force for transparent, accountable and effective governance, and paves the way for freedom of expression, cultural and linguistic diversity, and participation in public life.
“For this reason, universal access to information is a pillar of the 2030 agenda for Sustainable development”, she stated. Sidibeh also said that UNESCO continues to play a leading role in building inclusive knowledge societies through the promotion of freedom of expression, media development, and universal access to information. This year’s celebration theme was “Leading No One Behind”, a mission in which digital technology is an invaluable resource, she informed.
Furthermore, she stressed that in times of growing disinformation and hate speech, the right to access information in the public interest that is held by governments and private actors is more important than ever.
Mrs. Aisha Davies of the Ministry of Information and Communications Infrastructure (MOICI), said access to information is an enabler of all the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGS) and is vital in the facilitation of both the implementation and measurement of progress of the SDGs.
“International Day for Universal Access to information (IDUAL) has particular relevance with Agenda 2030 with specific reference to SDG 2 on investment in rural infrastructure and technology development.
“SDG 11 on positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas and SDG 16 on initiatives to adopt and implement constitutional, statutory or policy guarantees for public access to information”, she stated.
“It is worthy to note that in The Gambia, unsurprisingly, decades of bad governance had wide-ranging impacts on all segments of society and was the bane of macro-economic stability and growth,” Davies opined.
She added that the present government (of President Adama Barrow) however, considers restoring good governance, rebuilding, and restoring public confidence in key institutions, upholding human rights and strengthening access to justice, in the context of transitional justice as urgent priorities.
The PS told the gathering that, right to information is also a guiding principle for participatory democracies, since only an informed population could effectively contribute to the construction of governments and political institutions.
She intimated that, “People need information to be able to adequately express themselves on matters of governance, holding leaders accountable, influencing service delivery and decision-making and for promoting and protecting their human rights.
“International Day for Universal Access to Information,” was perceived following the adoption of a Resolution in November 2015 (38C/70) declaring 28 September of every year, as International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI).
This year 2019, would be the fourth since UNESCO marked 28 September as the International Day for Universal Access to information. Hence, the event is celebrated globally, The Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM) alongside its partners, celebrated this year’s event in the Gambia through a daylong conference and open talks.
The overall aim of the event, as indicated by the organisers, was to create a national dialogue and popularization on the Draft Freedom of Expression Bill and how to foster open societies and access to information.
The Gambia Press Union and the government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Information and the umbrella body of NGOs, are working on a common platform to inform and influence the development of a Freedom of Information Bill to be enacted into law.
To that end, the National Commission has engaged GPU to lead the discussion on the Access to Information Draft Bill on Access to the roles, responsibilities, and those of the bill, progress and status report, to society.
