The Right to Access Information Commission-Eastern Region has on Wednesday, 8th November 2023, held a one-day capacity building training on the RAI regulation, and records management code of practice at the Kenema City Council Hall.
The engagement comprised communication officers of various MDAs, civil society personnel, journalists, paramount chiefs, and other non-state actors across the eastern region at a round table to deliberate on key issues pertinent to the free flow of information and strike appropriate chords to draw out practical recommendations to the existing issues.
Honourable Mustapha mentioned the value of information in human society, noting that information is the bedrock of knowledge-based actions and activities that open new dimensions of incredible realities.
In his opening remarks, The Chairman and Information Commissioner (C.I.C), Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw welcomed the participants and encouraged them to fully participate in the training process. “My utmost desire is to create coordination with the regional districts for balanced representation”, remarked the C.I.C.
In his statement during the symposium, the Eastern Region commissioner Ahmed G. Kallon gave the commission’s background, roles, and powers and further encouraged the participants to cooperate with the commission by ensuring that they proactively disclose information via all possible outlets to allow unhindered access.
The Legal consultant and Head of the Compliance Unit of RAIC, Mr. Alan Benjamin ESQ conducted a summary remedial training with the stakeholders to give an overview of the Act and show a few dictates of the law, for clarity purposes.
The second facilitator, Madame Fanta Morgan, the National Archivist for the Commission gave a smart presentation on Records Management codes of practice and led an interactive session with the participants thereby allowing them to assess the commission’s successes, challenges, and lapses and prescribe effective solutions. “For Access to Information to succeed, there should be reliable records”, she noted.
Commissioner, Kallon conducted the RAI Compliance Evaluation process whereby all participants filled out the distributed forms to assess their compliance level with the commission’s law to enable the commission to accentuate reforms that would complement the assessment results. The participants asked many thoughtful questions and gave meaningful contributions. Most of the recommendations of the participants anchored around the need for logistical and welfare improvements that will enable the commission to adequately deliver its services
