Kenema, Sierra Leone – The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has successfully concluded a one-day intensive Digital Access to Information workshop on 16th May 2025 at its Eastern Region Office, 22 Turay Street, Kenema. The event brought together representatives from key public institutions, media, and civil society to enhance their understanding and use of digital platforms in promoting transparency, accountability, and proactive information disclosure.
The training was part of RAIC’s national effort to strengthen institutional capacity in compliance with the Right to Access Information Act of 2013, with a strong focus on bridging the digital divide in public sector communication.
In his keynote address, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, emphasized the Commission’s ongoing commitment to fostering digital transformation in governance.
“In this digital era, access to information is not a privilege—it is a fundamental right. Our goal is to ensure that public institutions are compliant in principle and effective in practice when it comes to proactive and digital disclosure,” he stated. While urging the participants to collaborate in efforts to accomplish the main goal of improved service delivery, he further quoted the ‘Ubuntu’ principle, an African proverb which means: “we are because you are” as reference that the commission was established because of these stakeholders.
Participants included representatives from the Sierra Leone Police, National Mineral Agency, National Commission for Democracy, Kenema District Council, National Civil Registration Agency, Civil Society Organizations, and Voice of the East Radio. The workshop covered key areas including the use of online platforms for information dissemination, legal obligations under the RAI Act, and data privacy protocols.
A key outcome of the workshop was the collective commitment of all participating institutions to fully comply with the Annual Compliance Report distributed during the session. Additionally, RAIC announced its strategic plan to establish a regional office in the North-West, extending its reach and oversight across the country.
The Commission expresses its sincere appreciation to all stakeholders for their active participation and pledges continued support to ensure effective implementation of access to information laws through digital innovation.
~ENDS~
