Access to Information Act Reform Submitted for Review

State Minister, Robert Nesta Morgan, says the Government is committed to fast-tracking the review of the Access to Information Act reforms.

Speaking at an Access to Information Unit (AIU) virtual event held on October 1, Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information, Robert Nesta Morgan says the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Information is currently awaiting comments from the Attorney General’s Chamber on a Cabinet submission concerning the review. He added that once the comments are received concerning the Act, the submission will be made to Cabinet for consideration.

The State Minister emphasised that the Ministry is committed to having meaningful consultations with the public during the review period and looks forward to the feedbacks and recommendations.

The Access to Information Act grants civilians and other persons a general legal right of access to official government documents which would otherwise be inaccessible. Minister Morgan noted that documentation and information access services provided by public authorities as they are broadly defined by the Act is a service that has “legal timelines”.

The Minister added that the Ministry seeks public access to information broadly and is designing its systems to encompass the use of technology to improve records and information management within the Government and improve processes and operations of ministries, agencies, and departments. To allow for more efficient and timely access to information.