Parliament Begins Legislative Process for Data Protection and National Archives Reforms
Alex Fefegula Harding Two proposed laws seeking to strengthen citizens’ information rights and modernise government records management have entered Sierra Leone’s parliamentary process following their introduction by Information Minister Chernor Bah.
Bah presented the Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill, 2026, and the National Records and Archives Bill, 2026, to Parliament on Thursday, Nov. 5. Both proposals completed their introduction and First Reading, according to reports on the parliamentary proceedings.
The proposed legislation addresses two areas of information governance: protecting individuals’ personal data while improving access to public information, and establishing stronger arrangements for preserving and managing national records.
The Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for safeguarding citizens’ privacy and personal information while supporting their right to obtain information held by public institutions.
The National Records and Archives Bill, meanwhile, is intended to strengthen the management, preservation and organisation of government documents and historical records.
Their introduction marks the beginning of parliamentary consideration, rather than their approval as law.
Under Parliament’s Standing Orders, the next major stage is the Second Reading, when lawmakers debate a bill’s general principles and merits. Following that stage, a bill proceeds to committee examination, where its provisions can receive detailed scrutiny and proposed amendments.
The legislation must subsequently return to Parliament for its Third Reading and passage before it can proceed to presidential assent and publication as an Act.
The proposed reforms come as Sierra Leone seeks to strengthen the legal and institutional arrangements governing personal information, public access to government records and the preservation of official documents.
Both bills must complete the required legislative stages before their provisions can take legal effect.