NaCCED Chairman Attends Global Information Access Conference in Lungi as Sierra Leone Hosts ICIC–IDUAI for First Time
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), Mr. Joseph Munda Bindi, is taking part in the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) alongside the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), currently underway at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
The high-level gathering has brought together information commissioners, policymakers, and stakeholders from Sierra Leone and other countries to deliberate on access to information, information integrity, and emerging challenges linked to information disorder in the digital age. The 2026 conference is being held under the theme “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder.”
The conference was officially opened by Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, who described the moment as both significant and challenging in an era increasingly defined by the rapid flow of information. He noted that the modern Information Age has reshaped citizenship, with access to reliable information playing a central role in governance and public engagement.
Dr. Jalloh reflected on Sierra Leone’s historical media landscape, recalling that the country once had a vibrant press presence dating back to the early 20th century. He also referenced the nation’s difficult past, noting that by 1991 it had been widely described as a collapsed state. He stressed that rebuilding strong democratic institutions remains essential to national recovery.
He further emphasized that access to information strengthens accountability, builds public trust in government, and enables citizens to assess performance in public service delivery, adding that it also contributes to reducing corruption. However, he warned that these gains are increasingly being challenged by the rise of artificial intelligence and other structural barriers affecting information production and verification.
Also speaking, the Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, described the conference theme as timely and relevant. He said the commission continues to work to ensure that access to information becomes a practical reality rather than only a legal provision.
This marks the first time Sierra Leone is hosting the ICIC–IDUAI conference. The three-day event, running from 28 to 30 September 2026, is expected to strengthen global cooperation on transparency, democracy, and strategies to combat misinformation and information disorder.