By Esther Wright
In a major push for enhanced transparency, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has called on public institutions to take a proactive stance in sharing information with the public. Speaking at the 10th-anniversary celebration of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) held at the Foreign Service Academy on October 15, 2024, he emphasized that the initiative is vital for fostering transparency and curbing misinformation.
He underscored that the public’s right to access information is a fundamental civic right, not merely a privilege. “Public information must be regarded as a civic duty, integral to cultivating patriotism and love for the country,” Chernor Bah stated, highlighting the importance of keeping citizens informed about Government actions.
During his address, the Minister commended the RAIC for its impactful work over the past decade and acknowledged the efforts of the previous administration in establishing the Commission. He also credited civil society’s advocacy for the enactment of the Right to Access Information Act in 2013.
Emphasizing the critical role of access to information in Sierra Leone’s democracy, Minister Chernoh Bah noted that it played a key role in the country securing the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compact. He praised the progressive reforms initiated by His Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, including the repeal of the seditious libel law and the enactment of the Cybersecurity and Crime Act. According to the Minister, these reforms have expanded free expression and resulted in an increase in public information requests.
To further bolster transparency, the Minister announced that the Ministry of Information and Civic Education is developing a Records and Archive Policy and a Data Protection Bill. These initiatives are designed to protect public records and ensure timely access to information for citizens.
The event also featured remarks from the Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Abdel Aziz Bawoh, who raised concerns about the rising influence of artificial intelligence on freedom of information. He urged the RAIC to remain vigilant in addressing potential threats posed by AI while ensuring the public receives accurate information.
The 10th anniversary celebration of the RAIC served as a reaffirmation of the Government’s commitment to transparency and public accountability, with the Ministry of Information at the forefront of empowering citizens through access to information essential for active participation in the democratic process.
