The majority leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu[/caption] Majority Leader, Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has given indications that the Right to Information Bill is likely to be presented on the floor of parliament tomorrow, March 23 before the house goes on recess. The Minority Leader said in an interview with TV3 that despite the volume of work that the Bill comes with, it will be laid before parliament for necessary considerations to be made for its passage. “It is coming; it could be introduced in parliament tomorrow. If it is introduced, because it is not gazetted, the import of it will be for the committee to sit on it,” the Majority leader stated. He further stated that there is the likelihood of parliament not making a conclusive decision on the passage of the RTI Bill since the document is yet to be gazetted. “If it is introduced it cannot be worked on, and so it will be referred to the committee. The committee when we come back will serve us their report having engaged the major stakeholders on that.” The inability of parliament to pass the Bill before it rises will contradict an earlier assurance given by President Akufo-Addo at the 61st Independence anniversary celebration that the Bill will be passed before parliament rises. “After many years of hesitation, we intend to bring a Bill again to Parliament and work to get it passed into law before Parliament rises,” President Akufo-Addo had stated. The Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama had earlier stated that Cabinet had approved the RTI Bill, but the Majority leader said that was not the case. The cabinet sub-committee approved the Bill and same is expected by Cabinet by close of day today March 22, 2018, he explained. “The approval was made by Cabinet sub-committee and Cabinet is expected to meet at 3pm today for the final approval.” The Right to Information Bill has been in and out of parliament for some 15 years now since 2003 with no conclusive decision for its passage. By Irene Amesimeku| 3news.com| Ghana ]]>
RTI Bill to be in parliament tomorrow, if cabinet gives approval today – Majority Leader
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