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The Ministry of Information and Civic Education has concluded a two-day consultation on Sierra Leone’s draft Data Protection Policy and legislation, at the Mama Rugi Multipurpose Hall in Makeni.
During the engagement, Emmanuel Turay, the acting Director of Government Information Services at the Ministry, stressed the importance of citizen participation in shaping the draft bill.
“The purpose of this engagement is to look at our draft data protection policy and bill, and consult people who may not be fully aware of it,” he said. “We want them to give their input and ensure the final document represents the views of Sierra Leoneans.”
Director Turay explained that data protection is a safeguard against the misuse of personal information, particularly in a digital world where data can easily be exposed to cybercrime or abuse.
“Data protection is about protecting people’s rights and ensuring their information is not unlawfully disclosed or accessed. Without proper safeguards, privacy and security are at risk,” he added.
Also, the consultation focused on several issues including rights of individuals, giving citizens control over how their data is collected, used and stored, data processing principles, and independent Oversight —calling for a Data Protection Commission to enforce compliance.
The ceremony also focused on the duties of Institutions while outlining obligations for both government and private entities in handling personal data. Calls were also made for Cross-Border Data Transfer Rules which will establish safeguards for data leaving Sierra Leone and introduce penalties and sanctions for violations and urge awareness campaigns to build a culture of data responsibility.
The Ministry of Information said it will continue consultations in other regions before finalising the draft bill, which will then be presented to the government.
The engagement brought together government officials, journalists, civil society actors, and community representatives to deliberate on how the country should regulate the collection and use of personal data in the digital era.
