Government has indicated that it will ensure the Right to Information Bill is passed by parliament by the end of this year, 2017.

According to the Communications Minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful speaking at the launch of the open data conference in Accra told the media, “some progress has been made in this area and there is still a long way to go and some challenges which include lack of an open data policy and guidelines which ensure that open data is a whole government initiative.”

She however indicated that government will put up the appropriate facilities to ensure transparency in open data. Ghana would be hosting the third edition of the Africa Open Data conference from July 17 to 21 and over 600 delegates across the world are expected to take part in this years conference.

The first edition of the open data conference was organised by the Africa Open Data Collaborative in September 2015 in Tanzania.

The open data conference sought to highlight the leadership role of the private sector in supplying, using and demanding open data and bringing together brilliant innovators and visionaries to grow their networks and hone their success.

It aims to connect with sources of support and introduce investors and donors to an expanding sector that seeks and supplies open data to achieve development goals in Africa and across the globe.

Communications minister, Ursula Owusu-Ekuful underscored the importance of open data adding it is the best way to help government to be accountable to the people adding that “it would also prevent people from sitting on information and think that it is their personal property and you need to go through hoops or know some big man somewhere before you can get access to information.”

Meanwhile, acting director of the national information technology agency underscored the importance of making information available so it can easily be accessed.