By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu, Bo City
On Thursday, September 25, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MOICE) hosted a regional stakeholders’ consultation on data protection and registration at the Wizzard Conference Hall in Bo. This consultation is part of a nationwide series aimed at gathering input on the draft Data Protection Bill, which seeks to establish Sierra Leone’s first comprehensive legal framework for protecting citizens’ personal data.
In his opening statement, the Permanent Secretary of MOICE, Andrew Simeon Kamara, described the consultation as a crucial step toward creating a Data Protection Commission and setting national standards for the responsible handling of personal information. He emphasized that the initiative is central to the government’s broader digital transformation agenda, which aims to build trust, strengthen privacy rights, and improve service delivery across both the public and private sectors.
Mr. Kamara noted that Sierra Leone currently lacks a dedicated Data Protection Act, relying instead on scattered provisions within existing laws and cybersecurity regulations. He stressed the urgent need for modern and explicit legislation to protect citizens from data misuse, enhance confidence in digital services, and align Sierra Leone with regional and international frameworks governing cross-border data flows.
Delivering the keynote address, the Resident Minister for the South, Chief John Abu, highlighted the pivotal role of communication in implementing effective data protection. He cautioned that while social media has revolutionized information sharing by allowing almost anyone to publish content, the absence of strong regulations poses significant risks in today’s digital age.
“During the civil war, people in the provinces relied on Kiss FM radio for reliable updates. Back then, traditional media like radio, television, and newspapers were trusted sources of information,” Chief Abu recalled. “Today, with the rise of social media, information can be manipulated, and reputations can be destroyed if the proper safeguards are not in place.”
He underscored the urgency of establishing a robust data protection framework and emphasized the role of data controllers in ensuring accountability, transparency, and the responsible use of information in the digital age.
Civil society groups, media practitioners, and private sector representatives welcomed the consultation but called for strong safeguards to ensure the independence and technical capacity of the proposed regulator. Rights advocates also cautioned against unnecessary overlap with existing laws, while business and telecom stakeholders stressed the importance of clear rules on cross-border data transfers, realistic compliance timelines, and sufficient capacity-building to prevent service disruptions and foster international partnerships.
Journalists present further emphasized the need for nationwide public awareness campaigns to ensure that citizens fully understand their rights and responsibilities once the law is enacted.
The consultation in Bo marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to modernize Sierra Leone’s legal and institutional frameworks for digital governance. Similar engagements are expected to continue across the country in the coming months.