Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

Civil society leaders and government representatives condemned legislative threats, particularly the NGO Regulation Bill, arguing they violate constitutional freedoms. This stance highlights the critical importance of protecting the operational space for non-governmental organizations, which are essential partners in the Open Government Partnership. Without legal safeguards for civil society, the transparency and accountability goals of open data initiatives face significant obstruction, as independent voices are necessary to monitor and validate government commitments effectively. The workshop underscored that successful open governance requires genuine collaboration between the state and civil society, rather than adversarial relationships. Participants emphasized that both parties must jointly implement the Open Government Partnership National Action Plan to ensure integrity and efficient resource use. This cooperative model demonstrates that open data is not merely a technical government function but a shared responsibility where civil society acts as a crucial check on power, ensuring that transparency promises translate into tangible improvements in public finance and institutional behavior. Ultimately, the article illustrates that open data initiatives rely heavily on a robust legal and political environment where freedom of information is respected. By urging civil society to rigorously hold the government accountable and collaborate with the media to expose non-compliance, the workshop reinforced that sustained transparency requires active societal engagement. This relevance to open data lies in the understanding that data alone is insufficient; it must be supported by strong civil society frameworks that demand and utilize information to drive democratic accountability.

Source: quicknews-africa.net
Published on 2025-08-31

Centre LSD, OPG condemn ‘obnoxious bill’ by national assembly to scuttle transparency

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