MONROVIA, March 7 (LINA) - Foreign Minister Augustine Ngafuan has hailed Liberia’s accession to the Freedom of Information Law which guarantees access to information by the public.
He noted that one of the best legacies any government can bequeath to posterity is building institutions and the framework for good governance and freedom.
Ngafuan said while building infrastructure is key to the development of any country, creating institutions like the Independent Information Commission (IIC), which guarantees access to freedom of information thereby enhancing democracy, is one of the best legacies any government can bequeath to posterity.
Minister Ngafuan made the commendation on Thursday at his Foreign Ministry office when the Commissioner of the IIC, Cllr. Bedor-Wla Freeman, paid a courtesy call on him.
The visit was part of the Commission’s outreach program launched recently to sensitize government officials about the Freedom of Information Law. The first visit was with Vice President Joseph N. Boakai at his Capitol Building office.
The Foreign Minister welcomed the IIC Commissioner and lauded him for the level of work he has done to foster the Freedom of Information Law in the country.
Minister Ngafuan then appealed to local and international partners for support to ensure the successful implementation of the Freedom of Information Law which, he noted, is a new concept in Liberia.
The FOI Law allows access by the general public to data held by public or private institutions like cellphone companies performing public functions.
They establish a "right-to-know" legal process by which requests may be made for government-held information to be received freely or at minimal cost, barring standard exceptions.
Liberia acceded to the Freedom of Information Law in 2010, making it one of only two countries in West Africa and five countries in Africa that have passed the Freedom of Information Law.
LINA