WAJA praises passing of Freedom of Information Act in Bokina Faso

The Revolution Continues in Burkina Faso as Transitional Parliament Passes FOI Law

The West African Journalists Association (WAJA) has received news of the passage of the Freedom of Information Act by the Transitional Parliament in Bokina Faso.

WAJA wishes to express its profound excitement and praise for the extraordinary speed with which the parliament proceeded to pass the bill on 31st August 2015.

The bill will arguably go down into history as the fastest in the sub-region and the African continent, as the parliament is known to have taken at least a month to enact the law since its introduction.

The development comes less than a year after a people's revolution drove former President Blaise Campoare out of office in October, 2014.

This move truly explains the hunger of a people for change, for freedom, accountability and good governance as fundamental building blocks of growth and development.

WAJA President Peter Quaqua observes: "This singular expression by the people's deputies sends a strong message to politicians and Burkinabes at large, ahead of the October general elections that no more will their country be held hostage by self-seeking politicians who will do anything to feast on their wounds."

The West African sub-regional media body has no doubts President Michel Kafando will approve this redemptive move from Parliament by affixing his signature to the Act because it is the right thing to do.

This latest passage brings to seven, the number of countries in the sub-region that have so far enacted an FOI law. The others are Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria and Niger.

WAJA sees this as a significant development that should make it all too difficult for unethical politicians to abuse the public trust and go unchecked.