CSOs Lament Gaps in Access to Information Act

Civil society organisations in Malawi have bemoaned the existence of some gaps in the Access to Information Act (ATI), saying they are denying Malawians their right to information, writes Fojo Sharra.

Lilongwe, Malawi-Civil society organisations in Malawi have bemoaned the existence of some gaps in the Access to Information Act (ATI), saying they are denying Malawians their right to information, writes Fojo Sharra.

The sentiments were expressed during a panel discussion organised by the Malawi Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Malawi) to mark the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) under the theme "Access to Information in Malawi: Progress and Challenges three years after commencement of this ATI Act."

Speaking to journalists after the discussion, Chancy Kalolokesya, Deputy Director of Civil and Political Rights and Head of the ATI Unit at the Malawi Human Rights Commission (MHRC), lamented insufficient funding for them to fully sensitise the public regarding the Act.

"For example, we've mentioned insufficient funding, restraining us from carrying out our mandate as MHRC. In the last financial year, we got about K15 million, in this financial year, we have got 35 million," he said.

"We need close to half a billion Kwacha for us to carry out awareness activities, train the information officers, and have a database of all information holders in this country."

Commenting on the same, Phoebe Kasoga, Country Director, Plan International Malawi, reiterated the need to fully exploit the opportunity by introducing digital literacy to provide a platform for many Malawians to access information easily.

"There is also the need to lobby for some social norms as they can also affect women's access to public information due to gender stereotypes," she said.

Responding to the concerns, Arthur Chipenda, Deputy Director of Information, said that there is no need to worry much as the foundation has been laid and it is now up to Malawians to make use of the Act.

"As far as government is concerned, the solid foundation has been set. It's as if the government has constructed the road, it's up to citizens to utilise this road, to make use of this road," he said.

"It's time Malawians as citizens put this law to the test. Let's approach public officers and demand the information that we feel is relevant to our daily lives."

Chipenda further assured Malawians that the names of information officers will be published soon to make the citizens aware of the duty bearers.

Among the notable faces at the event were the European Ambassador to Malawi, Rune Skinnebach, and the outgoing Chairperson of MISA Malawi, Teresa Ndanga.

The Access to Information Act (ATI) was operationalized in the year 2020, and it has now been three years since its commencement.