The Gambia Press Union and the Civil Society Coalition on Access to Information welcome the passing of the Access to Information Bill 2021 by the National Assembly on Thursday, July 1, 2021. 

If the Bill is granted presidential assent, it will be the first time in the history of The Gambia for right of access to information to be legally recognized as a human right.  

Globally, over 120 countries have such legislation and The Gambia has become the last country in English-speaking West Africa to have one.

The Bill is aimed at proactive and organised dissemination of public records and information to the people.

The Chairman of the civil society coalition, John Charles Njie, said in a statement issued by the Gambia Press Union that the change of Government in 2017 provided an opportunity for the media, government and civil society to work together towards a better Gambia.