By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has issued a timely reminder to all Public Authorities regarding their statutory obligation to develop, update, or complete their Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) Schemes, as mandated by Section 8 of the Right to Access Information (RAI) Act of 2013.
This initiative aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the public sector and promote trust between government institutions and the public.
According to Section 8 of the RAI Act, public authorities are required to proactively publish information pertaining to their functions, decision-making processes, budget allocations, procurement activities, and other matters of public interest. RAIC has noted that while some Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have made commendable strides in disclosing necessary information, a substantial number have yet to commence or complete this vital process, a reason RAIC has dispatched formal communications to all MDAs, urging them to fulfill their obligations under the RAI Act. The reminders specifically target two groups: those MDAs that have started the PDI process but have not finished or updated it, and those that have not initiated the process at all. The Commission stresses that failure to comply with the PDI requirements constitutes a breach of the RAI Act.
“Proactive Disclosure of Information and the timely submission of the Annual Compliance Report are crucial compliance indicators for all public authorities,” the Commission stated. “It is imperative that these obligations are met with the utmost seriousness to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability within Sierra Leone’s governance framework.”
The RAIC emphasizes that the benefits of proactive disclosure extend beyond mere legal compliance. Effective information sharing fosters public trust, enhances institutional transparency, and reduces the administrative burden associated with handling repetitive information requests. It also promotes efficiency in service delivery, ultimately benefiting the citizens who rely on these services.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, expressed the significance of voluntary information disclosure in his statement. “Voluntary disclosure of information serves the public interest and strengthens the performance of MDAs,” he said. “Timely and proactive dissemination of information is essential to maintaining the transparency and accountability that are increasingly becoming hallmarks of the growing open governance ecosystem in Sierra Leone.”
Public authorities are urged to download the necessary PDI and Annual Compliance Report (ACR) templates from the RAIC’s official website (www.raic.gov.sl) and submit the completed documents to the Commission. Submissions can be made via the designated email addresses: thoronkaa2021@gmail.com and bendumattu92@gmail.com.
RAIC reaffirms its commitment to supporting public institutions in fulfilling their responsibilities under the law, emphasizing the importance of building a transparent and accountable public sector in Sierra Leone. All public authorities that have yet to complete their ACR templates are strongly encouraged to take this opportunity to do so promptly.
As the deadline looms, RAIC hopes that all public authorities recognize the urgency of complying with the RAI Act and embrace the opportunity to contribute to a more open and transparent governance landscape in the nation. By adhering to such requirements, they can help ensure that the citizens of Sierra Leone remain informed and engaged in the activities of their government, fostering a culture of accountability and trust.
