By Amin Kef (Ranger)
In a significant move to uphold transparency and accountability, a coalition of local and international organizations has on July 30, 2024 formally requested the release of the detailed final report from the tribunal that investigated the suspended Auditor-General and Deputy Auditor-General of Sierra Leone, Lara Taylor-Pearce and Tamba Momoh. The request was made under Sierra Leone’s Right to Access Information Law and directed to the Secretary to the President, as well as the Attorney General and Minister of Justice.
The coalition, which includes organizations such as Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), Christian Aid Sierra Leone (CASL), Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), Western Area Budget Education Advocacy Network (WABEAN), ActionAid Sierra Leone (AASL), Talking Drum Studio (TDS) and Transparency International Sierra Leone (TISL), emphasizes that access to this report is vital for promoting public trust in Government and judicial systems.
“The right of the public to information is a foundational principle of democracy and we are committed to maintaining its protection,” stated the coalition in their Press Release. They urged the Office of the President and the Attorney General and Minister of Justice to respond promptly and thoroughly, in line with Section 2 of the Right to Access Information Act of 2013.
Other notable signatories include the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, advocating for women’s equal rights and political participation and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists (SLAJ), the umbrella body for media in Sierra Leone dedicated to free speech and press freedom.
Citizens’ Barray, known for promoting civic empowerment and social justice and the Elections Women’s Peace Monitoring Group-Sierra Leone (EWPM-SL), which has monitored election cycles to prevent conflicts, also joined the call for transparency.
This united demand underscores the critical need for openness and accountability in Sierra Leone’s governance, reinforcing the principle that public access to information is essential for a healthy democracy.
