Doctor Alassane Guèye, director of the promotion of good governance, detailed, at the microphone of Migui Maram Ndiaye on Radio Senegal, the progress linked to the relaunch of the process of adoption of the law on access to information. This workshop, organized with key stakeholders, aims to strengthen transparency, a fundamental element in the fight against corruption and the promotion of good governance.
For Doctor Guèye, the current context is favorable to the adoption of this law. “The President of the Republic, very committed to the fight against corruption, inherited a pending file. Today we have a new National Assembly, and it is determined to advance essential reforms for transparency and development. This is why this workshop brought together the media, civil society and administration to inform and mobilize around this proposed law. »
Started several years ago, the process of adopting the law on access to information had been slowed down. “Nothing prevented its adoption except a lack of political will on the part of the former regime, which refused to allow citizens and the media access to certain information. With the current president, endowed with real political courage, this barrier has been lifted,” underlined the director.
Access to information is an essential pillar of good governance. According to Dr Guèye, “to effectively fight corruption and promote transparency, it is essential that citizens, the media and civil society actors have access to the necessary information. Without transparency, there can be no sustainable development. This law represents a key tool to help the administration and civil society support the president’s efforts in this fight. »
Asked whether the interests of the media were taken into account in this process, Dr Guèye was clear: “Everyone was represented, including the media, civil society and the administration. Everyone made their contribution to the development of the text. We can say with certainty that the media were taken into account in this project. »
The text, now ready, awaits validation by the Council of Ministers before being presented to the National Assembly. “The President of the Republic is very motivated to ensure that this law is adopted quickly. What is certain is that it appears in his calendar. After this law, we will attack another crucial issue in the fight against corruption: that of whistleblowers. The latter will need a legal framework to operate effectively, and this law will be a major support,” concluded Dr Guèye.v
