Niël Terblanché
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) announced the National Assembly’s endorsement of the Access to Information Act (ATI) No. 8 of 2022 Regulations on Tuesday.
This puts Namibia among the 140 countries in the world to adopt such a law.
In a statement, the minister of information and communication technology, Emma Theofelus, said that the ATI Act Regulations reaffirm the country’s dedication to ensuring citizens’ access to information.
“This milestone will soon lead to the implementation of the Act, as noted by Emma Theofelus, the Minister of Information and Communication Technology,” she said.
She added that the ATI Act’s commencement will lead to the establishment of an independent Office of the Information Commissioner.
“This development will facilitate the appointment of the Information Commissioner and the Deputy Information Commissioner, as stipulated in the Act. The Commission will play a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting the public’s right to access information,” she added.
According to Theofelus, the operationalisation of the ATI Act will pave the way for greater transparency and accountability in both public and private institutions.
“These institutions are urged to prepare and continue providing information proactively, enhancing the lives and livelihoods of Namibians with essential information,” she said.
According to Theofelus, the ministry will publish a notice in the Government Gazette to mark the official start of the Act and the beginning of a new era in Namibia’s information access.
She added that the development is a key moment in Namibia’s journey towards greater transparency and the promotion of an informed citizenry.
The minister anticipates that the Office of the Information Commissioner will play a crucial role in upholding and protecting the public’s right to information.
Theofelus called on all institutions to align with the new regulations and contribute to Namibia’s more open and accountable governance framework.
The Access to Information Act grants individuals the right to access information that public authorities hold.
It was drafted in 2016 and tabled in parliament in June 2020.
