4 MALAWI’s OPEN GOVERNEMNT PARTNERSHIP COMMITTMENTS Commitment Template Name and number of the Commitment No. 1: Freedom of Information Lead implementing agency Ministry of Information, Civic Education and Tourism Name of responsible person/officer from implementing agency Secretary for Information, Civic Education and Tourism – Mr. Justin Saidi Title, Department Directorate of Information Phone +265 1 773 233 +265 888873567 Other actors involved Government Office of the President and Cabinet, E Government Department Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs. CSOs, private Sector, working Groups, Multilaterals Media Institute of Southern Africa-(MISA Malawi), Citizens For Justice, Malawi Human Rights Commission, Malawi Broadcasting Corporation, National Initiative for Civic Education, Zodiac Radio and TV, Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority-(MACRA), Council for Non-Governmental Organization- (CONGOMA), Daily Times – Print and TV and National Newspapers Limited. Status quo or problem/issue to be addressed Section 37 of the Malawi Constitution guarantees the right to information. However, there is no enabling legislation to regulate and operationalize access to information. Government adopted a policy on access to information. The Access to Information I Bill has been approved by Cabinet, its been gazetted and its awaiting enactment by the Malawi Parliament. Main Objective To improve the flow of information from the government to citizens and ensure that citizens access the information held by government Brief Description of Commitment The enactment of the access to information law underpins the need to realize the constitutional principles on right to information. Easy access to information
currently being championed by the Office of the Vice President through the Public Service Sector Reform Commission. These reforms seek to generate improvements through:- depoliticizing the public service, entrenching ethics, integrity and discipline, systematic development of human resource, harmonizing remuneration and conditions of service, rightsizing, harmonizing human resource management systems, effective implementation of performance management systems, establishing efficient and effective funding and payment systems, decentralizing service delivery, fostering efficient utilization of public resources, adopting technological innovations that improve efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery and undertaking public service legal reforms. OGP challenge addressed by the commitment Improving efficiency and effectiveness of quality public services is essential in sustainable economic development of Malawi. Briefly describe the intended results of the commitment and how it will either make government more open or improve government through more openness. Actions on this commitment will ensure that government is more responsive to citizen’s by prioritizing equitable and increased access to public services required to improve and sustain a decent livelihood for the majority of ordinary people in their communities. It is therefore expected that the effective implementation of public sector reforms will enable the Government to meet high expectation and demands of the public, transform the work culture of the public service, promote ethics and integrity in the public service, promote transparency and accountability and ensure prudent management of public resources. Verifiable and measurable milestones to fulfill the commitment New or ongoing commitment Start Date: End Date: Annual budget allocation for public services matched with funding needs New Government maintains adequate funding to key public services New Proportion of the public expressing satisfaction with public service delivery New
Right to Information Access Info Center for Law and Democracy Pass Right to Information Bill Adopt a law which recognizes the right to information, in line with section 37 of the Malawian constitution Establish institutional structures and mechanisms for implementing the RTI Provide training to officials on record management and RTI implementation Ensure that each public authority puts in place core implementation systems on RTI Extractive Industry Publish What You Pay Ensure transparency in the collection and management of the extractives industry Disclose contracts signed with extractive companies Make all rules and regulations for natural resource licenses and concessions available in a public database Publish timely, comprehensive reports on oil, gas and mining operations, including detailed revenue and project information Public Service Delivery One.org Adequate and high quality services to the public at all times Poor public service in hospitals, road traffic, immigration department have subjected Malawians to seeking favors instead of service Public sector reforms under will commit the public servants to the service charter National Integrity System Transparency International Integrity systems will promote transparency, and accountability in the against corruption in Malawi. The law under declaration of asserts is being implemented The law establishing ACB and governing its work has gaps that hamper its efficiency and effectiveness. The national integrity system is undermined by weak coordination and inadequate resources
Asset Disclosure Transparency International Increase citizens access to asset declarations Ensure validity of information on asset declarations Establish a system of oversight for asset and conflicts of interest disclosures Verify assets declarations Targeted/Sample verifications of public officials to detect under or over declarations Publicize procedures for accessing declaration of assets Develop a system of monitoring for assets, income and gift disclosures Make all disclosure data searchable online Use open data principles in making information available online Undertake verifications to validate declarations Improve asset declaration system (Is it manual or electronic