SOURCE: Maame Efua Kwaduah
Ghana is set to co-host the International Day for Universal Access to Information in 2024. At a press briefing held at the Ministry of Information in Accra, UNESCO’s representative to Ghana, Mr. Yakub Abdul Hamid, emphasized the significance of improving public access to information as a means to advance sustainable development, build trust, and enhance cooperation between government and citizens.
Mr. Abdul Hamid highlighted that public access to information empowers individuals to exercise and claim their rights, seek, receive, and impart information. This access enables citizens to hold duty bearers accountable, reduce corruption, and make more informed decisions impacting their daily lives. He noted that the core of access to information lies in the right to information, a crucial component of media freedom.
The 74th UN General Assembly recognized the importance of access to information by declaring September 28th as the International Day for Universal Access to Information. This day, celebrated annually worldwide, was initially proclaimed by UNESCO in 2015. UNESCO serves as the custodian of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 16.10.2, which measures the number of countries that adopt and implement constitutional and policy guarantees for public access to information.
“Every year on September 28th, we celebrate the International Day for Universal Access to Information. UNESCO also conducts surveys on public access to information to track progress on the adoption and implementation of these guarantees. Since its inception, the Right to Information Commission has regularly reported to UNESCO,” Mr. Abdul Hamid stated.
He announced that UNESCO has decided to appoint Ghana as the institutional co-host for the 2024 International Day for Universal Access to Information. According to him, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Dr. Tofiq Jelasi, has said that the cooperation between UNESCO and Ghana underscores Ghana’s dedication to critical issues, especially regarding access to information. This collaboration highlights the country’s commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and the universal right to access information.
This year’s celebration marks the first time the global conference will be hosted by an African member state, providing an opportunity to showcase successful access to information practices. From October 1-2, 2024, the Government of Ghana and UNESCO will host the International Day Conference under the theme “Mainstreaming Access to Information Practices in the Public Sector.”
Despite significant progress in expanding public access to information since the adoption of the UN SDGs in 2015, much remains to be done. Nearly one-third of UN member states still lack access to information legislation. Ghana is poised to provide a platform for a high-level inter-ministerial panel to discuss how to improve the mainstreaming of access to information across government sectors.
Mr. Abdul Hamid expressed optimism, noting that Ghana’s Ministry of Information has an enviable track record of delivering successful international conferences, such as the 2018 World Press Freedom Day and the recent 3rd African Media Convention. These events he said are prime examples of the Ministry’s capabilities and that UNESCO has confidence in Ghana’s ability to host an eventful conference.
He noted that UNESCO is confident that the 2024 International Day for Universal Access to Information will be a significant event, advancing the global dialogue on transparency, accountability, and the universal right to access information.