Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ

An Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDEF project in Gambia facilitated the National Assembly¡¯s passing of an Access to Information Bill in July 2021. With this, Gambia becomes the last English-speaking country in West Africa to recognize access to information as a legal right. It marks the first time in Gambia¡¯s history that civil society has worked directly with the Government on legislation from conception to enactment, all made possible by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵDEF¡¯s support. Implemented by the Gambia Press Union, the project built a coalition of civil society and media organizations -- the Civil Society Coalition on Freedom of Information -- which engaged with Government and drafted the proposed legislation for the freedom of information bill; created a platform for dialogue with the Ministries of Justice and Information to allow for direct consultations and reach a consensus on the legislation; provided training for journalists on the topic; and conducted advocacy among the general public to build wide support for access to information as a tool to enhance accountability and good governance.