The Ministry of Information and Civic Education held a session as part of the Pre-Legislative review of the draft Data Protection and Right to Access Information Regulatory Commission Bill, 2025.

The engagement was held at the Miatta Civic Center, Youyi Building, Freetown. The session brought together Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to review the outcomes of the nationwide consultations and discuss proposed amendments to the draft Bill.

In his opening statement, Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, highlighted the critical importance of establishing a comprehensive legal framework on data protection in Sierra Leone.

“Data protection affects every citizen. It is about your personal information. The lack of a data protection law in Sierra Leone has affected us on many levels, and this has been a huge concern,” he stated.

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Minister Bah emphasized that significant foundational work has been completed to bring the Bill to its current stage, noting that policy documents and regulations have been developed, and both local and international experts consulted. “We want to get this right,” he added.

The international Consultant, Paul Okirig, while supporting the process, affirmed that the draft Data Protection Bill aligns with international best practices and provides a strong framework for modern data protection governance. He outlined key global data protection principles and emphasized the need to harmonize Sierra Leone’s laws with international standards to ensure the country’s readiness for a secure digital future.

Furthermore, local consultant and legal draftsman, Dandyson Thompson, gave a detailed overview of the draft Bill, explaining its structure, major provisions, and how feedback gathered from the nationwide consultations has been well captured in the draft.

Minister Bah clarified that the purpose of the law is not punitive but protective. “The purpose of this law is not to punish people; it is to set standards that protect everyone,” he said. He reaffirmed that the Ministry’s goal is to ensure the law promotes trust, accountability, and data security across both public and private institutions.

Minister Bah expressed appreciation to donor partners – UNDP and Irish Aid, consultants, colleague ministers, and participating stakeholders for their continued support in advancing Sierra Leone’s data protection and governance reforms and their active contribution to shaping a modern legal framework for the country’s digital transformation.

During the session, participants contributed ideas, sought clarifications, and suggested amendments to further strengthen the Bill.