A number of countries in Africa including Liberia, Tunisia and Nigeria have just passed new Access to Information laws. Uganda is also currently preparing for implementation of their Access to Information (ATI) Act with newly passed regulations. The Rwandan and Kenyan Governments are also considering the passage of ATI Bills. A number of ATI experts have stated that the passage of an ATI law is really only the beginning of a process to promote transparency but implementation is the real challenge. What actions are governments to take to ensure effective implementation?. Are their any guides that can facilitate and assist governments in strategising about implementation?

While there is no one path to ensure smooth implementation, from review of a number of implementation plans that have been prepared by Governments around the world (http://bit.ly/oNontE) and my own experience assisting in implementation of the Cayman Islands Freedom of Information Act I have come up with a list of top ten actions that governments should consider when they are beginning implementation This list may also be used as a tool by civil society to monitor government implementation practices. I hope it is useful for practitioners and civil servants in government.