The importance of the ATI legislation in The Gambia cannot be over emphasised. For many
decades Gambians have not being able to access information like public records and information by public authorities making it impossible to engage the leaders and hold them accountable for their actions.
In the coming years, the effectiveness of the Gambia’s new Access to Information law will be put to the test. As such, this year’s theme resonates with the current situation in The Gambia, where alot of uncertainty remains as to the implementation of the newly passed legislation. As the ATI law has the potential to hold government accountable and ensure that there is a high level of transparency in Gambian governance, a threat exists that government may deprive this legislation
of the mechanisms it needs to make it effective.
In addressing this solemn concern, the Chairperson of the CSO Coalition on ATI, John Charles Njie: said “It is imperative that The Gambia government shows commitment to putting in place effective mechanisms for the mandatory disclosure of information, and that public information officials who willfully deny citizens their right to government held information must be sanctioned.”
Adding his voice to the issue, GPU President Sheriff Bojang Jr also expressed the need for state authorities to ensure that “journalists and civil society have access to information on behalf of the population to hold those in power to account, to question decisions and actions made by governments in the name of those who elected them, and to create a healthy space for investigative journalism for accountable governance.”
On this day, the GPU reiterates its commitment to work with the CSO Coalition and the Gambian Government to ensure the establishment of the requisite structures to make the Access to Information Act functional. The GPU also calls on the Gambian Government to ensure safe and transparent data collection, strengthen record keeping and enable accurate analysis, in line with international privacy standards.
Finally, in commemoration of 2021 International Day for Universal Access to Information in The Gambia, the GPU wishes to pay tribute to all partners who supported it in its drive to see an Access to Information legislation finally come into force in The Gambia. Your time, efforts, resources and
dedication in ensuring that there exists a better space for freedom of information has not gone in vain. We look forward to working with you to ensuing that the right to information is at the centre of efforts to developing a more informed and resilient Gambia