The government’s recent work and actions seem to be covered in secrecy. The government believes it could do things so much better if only the citizens are not allowed to see. The government would be so much more "efficient."

Perhaps this is a reason why the once open door to the media, who are the eyes and ears of the people, has been closed. It is sad to note that a government would believe that it would be able to work without being transparent and accountable to its people.

There are some interesting concerns before the government, to which very little has been said or little opportunity has been allowed for the public to participate.

The Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Public Enterprises are investigating the Samoa National Provident Fund chair for allegations of abuse of office and not following procedures. There is no transparency at all in how this investigation is conducted and what were the guidelines and parameters set.

There are other investigations before the government that it is quiet about. The $175,000 missing from a district council has been treated in a way that it was a small amount of money. Any amount of money that goes missing from the government coffers is a cause for concern.

There have been discrepancies with other district councils with the use of the district development grants. These issues are supposed to be under investigation as well. People want to know the outcome of these investigations. They want to know if people would be held accountable for their actions.

The lack of transparency was recently seen during the Steering Committee on the district grant’s visit to Savaii when the government was questioned about unfulfilled promises and money that was supposed to come to the constituents.

Instead of answering, these questions were deflected by telling the people that it was not the correct forum to answer those questions. Does there need to be a right forum for people to get answers?

In October, the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) will be held in Samoa, a historic event for the nation. Once again, the government is working towards CHOGM in secrecy without holding updates to keep the people informed of progress and what needs to be done next.

We have the right to know what the government is up to. The government cannot make decisions in secret. Neither can the government keep its records secret from us, except for limited exceptions.

Secrecy is the temptress of a democratic government. If there is a legal exception that covers the record people want to see, the government has to tell which exception applies. The government has to answer people’s requests promptly.

Another trend is to cast secrecy over the records of protected groups of public employees. We believe all public records should be open to the public, no matter what the law might say. The government has no existence at all, except by the grace and consent of the citizens.

The secret behaviour of the top brass has infected civil servants as well, who are acting similarly because they too, perceive all government work and records as not meant for the public eye.

The actions of governments at any level are meant to be public. Their votes and voices as they debate issues of vital interest to their constituents are meant to be heard, meant to prompt accountability from voters come the next election. But what happens when the government goes dark?

Right now, we are witnessing government action without public input. If we want government by the people and for the people, we must allow people access to government, even, and perhaps most urgently, in times of crisis.

When the government goes dark, it leaves the people questioning and they start not trusting the government’s actions. The best way to garner public trust is to have accountability and transparency.

The government has to show its people what they are doing every step of the way. This will only ensure that things happen in a more accountable manner and also keep the public informed. Right now most people are unaware of government processes and a large part of it has to be the fact the government has chosen to keep the people in the dark.

Show people the light, they will become better-informed voters and if the government continues to keep people in the dark, then it sadly reflects the fact, that some people do not prefer informed voters.