By Amin Kef Sesay
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) successfully concluded a four-day workshop on Wednesday, November 30, 2024, at the Atlantic Lumley Hotel in Freetown. The workshop, which commenced on November 27, 2024, focused on reviewing the Draft National Civil Registration (NCR) Bill 2022 and updating the National Civil Registration Authority Act of 2016 to include emerging issues and technological advancements.
The initiative, launched by the Minister of Internal Affairs, Major-General (Rtd) David T. O. Taluva, aimed to modernize Sierra Leone’s Civil Registration and Identity Management System. The workshop brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Irish Aid, the European Union (EU), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNICEF, to deliberate on legal and operational gaps in the current framework.
During the opening ceremony, NCRA’s Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi, underscored the importance of updating the legal framework to enhance vital event registration and support national development.
“The revised legislation is critical for improving our Civil Registration and Identity Management System. It will strengthen national planning, democracy and social protection mechanisms,” Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi stated. He also lauded the collaborative efforts of development partners in supporting the review process.
Hon. Sarty Banya, Deputy Chairperson of the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Internal Affairs, highlighted progress achieved under the 2016 Act. She emphasized the need to address emerging challenges, particularly in cyber security and data management, to ensure the robustness of the system.
UNICEF Representative, Rudolf Schwenk, stressed the critical role of birth registration as a fundamental human right and called for inclusive, innovative solutions to ensure accessibility for marginalized communities.
“Every child deserves to have their identity recognized. Strengthening civil registration is not only a legal imperative but also a step toward achieving sustainable development goals,” Rudolf Schwenk remarked.
The Minister of Internal Affairs, while launching the workshop, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting NCRA’s mandate. He urged stakeholders to ensure the revised law addresses gaps comprehensively, paving the way for an efficient, secure and transparent system.
The workshop is expected to have laid the groundwork for a modernized Civil Registration and Identity Management System that aligns with international best practices. By addressing legal, technological and operational challenges, the revised legislation aims to enhance governance, improve transparency and support sustainable development.
As Sierra Leone moves toward implementing these changes, the collaboration between NCRA, Government institutions and development partners remains vital to realizing a robust and inclusive Civil Registration System.
