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The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) recently conducted a series of regional engagements aimed at enhancing digital access to information and compliance with proactive disclosures mandated by the Right to Access Information Act of 2013.
The events took place from May 14 to May 16 in Makeni, Bo, and Kenema, gathering public authorities, civil society organizations, and media representatives.
These three days of awareness-raising engagements were designed to promote RAIC’s new digital infrastructure, which aims to streamline access to information. Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, RAIC’s Chairman and Information Commissioner, emphasized the importance of digital compliance in a modern context. He noted that in 2023, the Commission recorded 19,426 freedom of information requests, a number that reflects increasing public engagement with transparency efforts.
Dr. Shaw introduced the newly developed digital platform, which hosts all Freedom of Information forms, allowing users to submit requests online. He stated, “Access to information is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right,” urging public institutions to be proactive in their disclosures.
During the sessions, participants were trained on the Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) and Annual Compliance Report (ACR) templates, which are essential for ensuring accountability in public service. Dr. Shaw encouraged all public authorities to view themselves as custodians of information, with a responsibility to share it with the public.
Feedback from participants highlighted the challenges faced in implementing the PDI and ACR, with some expressing concerns about the impact of staff transfers on timely reporting. Mr. Alusine Bangura, from the Bo District Council, called for regional archives to enhance records management, while others praised RAIC’s digital initiatives as a significant step toward improving transparency.
In a significant development, RAIC announced plans to establish a regional office in the North-West Region, further extending its outreach and oversight capabilities across Sierra Leone. This initiative aims to strengthen compliance with access to information laws and bridge the digital divide in public sector communication.
The Commission expressed gratitude to all participants for their commitment to enhancing access to information and pledged ongoing support to ensure the effective implementation of transparency measures through digital innovation.
