Group photo of Stakeholders At The Commemoration Ceremony
By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Information Commission of The Gambia, in collaboration with the Gambia National Commission for UNESCO (NATCOM), commemorated International Day for Universal Access to Information Day 2024 on Tuesday at a local hotel in Kololi.
This year’s theme is “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Public Participation Across the Government Sector.”
The event brought together media representatives, civil society organizations, and students from the University of The Gambia, providing a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities in implementing The Gambia’s Access to Information Act.
The ceremony featured panel discussions aimed at raising awareness about the rights to request and obtain information from public bodies, while emphasizing the importance of free access to information.
In her remarks, Neneh Macdoual Gaye, Chairperson of the Access to Information Commission, provided an overview of the commemoration and highlighted the significance of the theme. She noted that it reflects the necessity for collaboration among stakeholders to foster innovative ideas, effective governance, and enhanced democracy.
“Passing the ATI law has been a major stride and a demonstration of political willingness but more importantly now is an effective implementation of the law to achieve this there must be coordinated efforts among public institutions civil society organizations the media, academia, and other citizens the Commission therefore stands ready to work with all state and non-state actors” she said
Gaye expressed her gratitude to the Gambia National Commission for UNESCO for their invaluable support in making the event a success. She acknowledged the Gambia Press Union for their proactive role in advocating for the enactment and implementation of the access to information law, along with the civil society coalition on information, which has developed a national roadmap for the ATI law’s implementation.
“The Information Commission in partnership with the Ministry of Information and the Gambia Press Union as well as Civil Society and other stakeholders will be meeting soon for the consolidation of the ATI implementation roadmap and its eventual validation,”she said.
She also mentioned plans to engage stakeholders in establishing the necessary structures, tools, processes, and systems to finalize their work plan.
Maimuna Sidibeh, a representative from UNESCO, emphasized that the day serves as a platform to evaluate progress made in promoting access to information since the adoption of the UN Sustainable Development Agenda.
“Information is indeed a cornerstone of democratic societies; it helps debunk lies and counter disinformation. It undermines hate speech while fostering intercultural understanding. It helps combat extremism, promote informed decision-making and enhance transparency and accountability, she said.
Sidibeh pointed out that for information to fulfill this vital role, everyone must have equal access to it, necessitating countries to adopt constitutional, statutory, and political guarantees. Currently, just over two-thirds of United Nations member states have taken such measures.
“We expect that today the focus is on the role of different stakeholders in ensuring that all individuals and entities are able to see, receive and relay information and engage in democratic processes. Today, society needs inclusive access to Information to build just peaceful and sustainable futures. UNESCO therefore calls all countries around the world to embrace information as the global public quote,”she highlighted.
The Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Information, Media, and Broadcasting Services stressed the importance of recognizing information accessibility in today’s digital world and promoting social inclusion.
“In The Gambia we recognize the pivotal role that information plays in empowering citizens fostering transparency and driving sustainable development. Moreover the government regards access to accurate, reliable and timely information as not merely a luxury but a necessity in an interconnected world” he said.
International Day for Universal Access to Information is celebrated annually on September 28, marking a global commitment to ensuring that everyone has the right to seek and share information.
According to UNESCO, the celebration stems from the belief that access to information is essential for building fair societies, enhancing knowledge, and fostering sustainable development.