The Minister for Information, Honourable Fatimatu Abubakar has announced that Ghana has won the bid to host the 2024 Global Conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI). She added that the conference would be held in Accra from October 1- 2, under the theme: “Mainstreaming Access to Information and Participation across the Public Sector”.
According to the Minister, this marks the first time the conference is being hosted by an African Member State, a significant testament to Ghana’s progress in promoting the right to information.
Hon. Abubakar made these remarks when she launched the 2024 global conference of IDUAI with UNESCO and other stakeholders.
She said this year’s conference is to offer Governments and the civil society a list of best practices for mainstreaming the right to information into the organisational systems and culture of different public authorities. She noted that the conference will involve a high-level Inter-Ministerial panel discussion to improve mainstream access to information across Government sectors.
“The panel will also discuss the role of the standard-setting instruments from the African Union, the Council of Europe, and other intergovernmental organisations, focusing on various mainstreaming aspects of access to information”, she added.
The Minister for Information noted that the conference presents an unparalleled opportunity to showcase our achievements, share best practices, and learn from other nations committed to upholding the right to information.
She Ghana hosting the 2024 Global Conference is not only a recognition of our efforts but also a call to action to continue advancing the frontiers of transparency and accountability.
Hon. Abubakar expressed her appreciation to UNESCO for the honour and to all stakeholders for contributing to make Ghana’s RTI journey a success. She called on Ghanaians to make the 2024 Global Conference of the International Day for Universal Access to Information a landmark event that will inspire and propel us towards even greater transparency and empowerment.
Speaking on behalf of UNESCO, Mr. Yakub Abdul Hamid, national programme officer for communication and information explained that, as the coordinator for the celebration of IDUAI, UNESCO supports nations that will adopt and implement legal, constitutional or policy framework that guarantees access to information.
He noted that UNESCO surveys the public on information access each year to monitor the advancement of these guarantees’ adoption and application.
Mr. Hamid applauded the Ministry of Information for delivering successful international conferences such as the 2018 World Press Freedom Day and the 3rd African Media Convention and expressed confidence in Ghana’s ability to host an eventful conference.
Source: MOI (PR Unit)
