By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has wrapped up a three-day staff retreat at the Makambo Village Hotel in Makeni, Bombali District, on Friday, January 17, 2025.
The retreat provided an opportunity for RAIC staff to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the previous year whilst laying groundwork for effective planning in the year ahead.
Running from Wednesday, January 15, to Friday, January 17, the retreat convened staff members from both the Freetown secretariat and regional offices. The program featured a variety of presentations and interactive sessions focused on enhancing the Commission’s operations and effectiveness.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, RAIC’s Chairman and Information Commissioner, emphasized the importance of the retreat, which aims to foster collaboration and innovative problem-solving among staff members. “This retreat serves as a moment for us to evaluate our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and priorities going forward,” Shaw stated.
He reiterated that participants would reflect on successful strategies and areas needing improvement whilst fostering team bonding among staff from diverse regions.
The retreat included discussions led by the Chairman, four Regional Commissioners, the Executive Secretary, and other staff members to identify challenges within the Commission. Together, they proposed experience-based solutions to address the challenges and enhance the Commission’s ability to facilitate access to information across Sierra Leone.
A notable highlight of the retreat was a presentation by the Public Sector Reform Unit, which conducted a management and functional review of RAIC. The review resulted in a new comprehensive organogram and clearly defined Terms of Reference (ToR) for staff, ensuring clarity in roles, qualifications, competencies, and reporting lines.
Participants also engaged in several practical training sessions covering an array of topics, including legal issues surrounding access to information, report writing, records management, accounting, auditing, and effective leadership. The training modules aimed to equip staff with the necessary skills to execute their responsibilities with greater efficiency and accountability.
The retreat culminated in collaborative sessions during which participants developed an annual work plan for 2025, alongside a communication strategy and report-writing templates. Such efforts are designed to streamline RAIC’s operations, enhancing its effectiveness in promoting transparency and information accessibility in Sierra Leone.
Overall, the three-day retreat proved to be an invaluable exercise in strategic planning, team building, and capacity development, positioning RAIC for a productive and impactful year ahead.
As the Commission continues to navigate the complexities of information access, the insights and bonds formed during the retreat will undoubtedly contribute to its ongoing mission of fostering transparency and accountability in governance.
