The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) engaged the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation on Thursday, November 6, 2025, to discuss compliance with the Right to Access Information Act (RAI Act 2013) and preparations for hosting the 17th edition of the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC 2026) in Freetown next year.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Chairman and Information Commissioner of the RAIC, highlighted key provisions of the RAI Act that require public authorities to adhere to both proactive and reactive information disclosure. He explained that public authorities are obligated to provide requested information that is not exempted by law, stressing the importance of establishing an enabling environment, such as appointing public information officers and establishing records and ICT units.
“For reactive disclosure, public authorities must provide requesters with all non-exempt information,” Dr. Shaw stated. “We monitor and evaluate compliance using the Annual Compliance Report (ACR) template. For proactive disclosure, the RAI Act mandates the publication of at least 22 classes of information. To assist in compliance, we have developed the Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) template, which outlines the required categories of information that must be made available, either on public websites or through other platforms.”
He emphasized that compliance with these provisions is not optional but mandatory, contributing to transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Dr. Shaw also noted that access to information is not limited to individuals, and that public authorities can request information from other public institutions as well. He underlined the critical role of information in preventing misinformation, promoting development, and fostering open governance.
However, Dr. Shaw reminded the Ministry that certain exempted information, such as matters related to national security, privacy, trade secrets, and diplomatic relations, may be withheld. He cautioned that these exemptions should not be misused, as the RAIC is authorized to review complaints from requesters who believe their information has been unjustly withheld.
Dr. Shaw also shared Sierra Leone’s impressive progress in regional and global access to information rankings, particularly since he assumed leadership of the RAIC in 2018. He referenced global surveys, such as the UNESCO Survey on Public Access to Information and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) eligibility criteria, which factor access to information into their assessments.
Dr. Shaw informed the Ministry’s leadership that Sierra Leone will host the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC 2026) in Freetown next year at the Bintumani International Conference Centre. This will be the first time the conference is held in West Africa, and only the second time in Africa, after South Africa hosted it in 2019. Dr. Shaw called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to lend its support, emphasizing that the conference would enhance Sierra Leone’s global image regarding access to information and open governance.
In his remarks, Alan Logan, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, congratulated Dr. Shaw and the RAIC for their achievements in promoting access to information and for winning the bid to host ICIC 2026. He assured the RAIC of the Ministry’s full support for the conference, offering technical assistance, including professional translators and visa facilitation for delegates.
“The RAIC is a vital institution in Sierra Leone’s democracy and governance, and hosting this conference will be significant for our global reputation in governance,” DG Logan said. “We will provide full cooperation, and I encourage the RAIC to submit a formal request outlining the specific support needed.”
DG Logan praised Dr. Shaw for his comprehensive explanation of the access to information process, including the exemptions and the responsibilities of public authorities under the RAI Act.