The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor A. Bah, has commended the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) as one of the most outstanding and best-performing institutions in Sierra Leone. He made the statement during the official handover of the Commission’s 2024 Annual Report on 17 November 2025 at the Ministry’s Headquarters on the 8th Floor of Youyi Building in Freetown.
Receiving the report, Chernor A. Bah praised the RAIC for its steadfast commitment to promoting transparency, accountability and improved governance. He noted that the Commission’s performance over the years has been exemplary, reflecting its strategic leadership and expanding role in strengthening information access across the country.
Presenting the 2024 report, the Chairman of RAIC, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, highlighted the Commission’s transformative progress since the inception of his leadership. He recalled that when the current administration assumed office, the Commission had no annual report and had recorded only 112 information requests nationwide.
“Fast forward to 2023, the Commission received 19,496 information requests, showing the astronomical progress we have made,” Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw stated. He acknowledged that although the 2024 figures show a marginal decline, he remains optimistic that next year’s performance will improve, citing the inclusion of Access to Information (ATI) and Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) as key performance indicators under the State House Delivery Unit.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw underscored that the submission of the Annual Report aligns fully with Section 41 of the RAI Act, which mandates the Commission to provide details of its achievements, activities and audited financial statements every year. He expressed confidence that the 2024 report “will make for good reading.”
Minister Chernor Bah reaffirmed the Government’s strong commitment to supporting the RAIC, stating that its consistent excellence is no surprise, given its proven value to citizens, institutions and the overall governance ecosystem. He further revealed that the Ministry is currently working with the RAIC to expand its mandate to include Data Protection, transforming the Commission into a comprehensive authority capable of addressing modern information governance challenges.
The Minister also stressed the importance of collaboration with the Ministry of Communication and Technology to ensure that all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) maintain functional websites that meet PDI standards. He confirmed that his Ministry will prepare a Cabinet Paper requiring MDAs to develop and regularly update official websites to enhance transparent communication.
Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Abdel Aziz Bawoh and the Director of Information, Emmanuel Turay, also commended the RAIC for its remarkable progress. They encouraged sustained collaboration, particularly ahead of the upcoming National Civic Festival, where the RAIC is expected to showcase its achievements and engage directly with the public.
The RAIC delegation included Executive Secretary Hon. Mustapha Braima and other senior officials who joined the Chairman in reaffirming the Commission’s commitment to advancing the right to information nationwide.
