PSAf hails Malawi for passing ATI Bill
The Panos Institute Southern Africa (PSAf) has hailed the passing of the Access to Information (ATI) Bill by the Malawi Parliament calling it a step in the right direction.
In a Press statement released Monday PSAf executive director, Lilian Kiefer, says the bill will enable citizens to access information that is held by public entities.
“The enactment of the access to information law in Malawi is a step in the right direction and a strong trigger for increased citizens’ participation in promoting accountability in the management of public resources in the country.”
Our work in Malawi focuses on creating platforms for informed citizens’ engagement and participation in development processes. This law will enhance our work as it will create an enabling environment for citizens to access information and engage meaningfully in developmental debates and dialogue. PSAf believes that an informed citizenry equals meaningful citizen participation in fostering accountability in development processes,” reads the statement in part.
Kiefer says the ATI Act gives and compels those holding public information to make it available to citizens and with the legislation in place, PSAf looks forward to increased citizens’ participation in the country’s governance and in combating corruption, which continues to rear its ugly head in the country.
She added that her organisation is aware that the new legislation has been elusive for many years, and even this time around, some political actors attempted to block it.
“The challenge now is for all stakeholders to ensure the full implementation of this law. We call on the responsible authorities to put in place policies and guidelines that will facilitate the effective implementation of this law. It is our hope as PSAf that the legislature, executive and judiciary will each play their part to ensure that the provisions of this law are adhered to. We look forward to the establishment of the Independent Information Commission that is provided for in the new law,” she added.
Kiefer further urges citizens to tap into the opportunities availed by this law to seek and access vital and life-saving information that is held by public entities.
She said PSAf also hopes that the ATI law will contribute to strengthened investigative journalism in the country as journalists will now have improved access to information held by public entities. “On our part, we will continue to work with the media and other stakeholders to ensure that information is effectively used to drive development.”
Last Wednesday, Parliament passed the ATI Bill after a 12-year attempt to have it tabled in the August house.
The passed Bill which is said to be almost similar to the original that had been butchered and was presented in Parliament in July 2016, is expected to become law after President Peter Mutharika assents to it and gets gazetted
