By: Aminata Sesay
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAiC) has officially launched its 2024 Annual Report, reinforcing national efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and digital access to public information across government institutions.
The launch, held on Wednesday, December 18, 2025, at the Family Kingdom Resort in Aberdeen, was combined with a capacity-building workshop on Access to Information (ATI) digital platforms. The event attracted senior government officials, heads of public institutions, development partners, and civil society representatives.
In his keynote address, RAiC Chairman Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw emphasized the importance of proactive disclosure of information by public institutions. He noted that timely and accessible information not only improves institutional efficiency but also builds public trust in governance systems and strengthens democratic accountability.
Dr. Shaw encouraged ministries, departments, and agencies to fully embrace the Access to Information Act and adopt digital tools that make information more readily available to citizens. He stressed that transparency must be institutionalized rather than treated as optional.
Among the institutions in attendance was the Sierra Leone Local Content Agency (SLLCA). Its Director-General, Fodeba Daboh, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to the access-to-information agenda, describing access to information as a catalyst for good governance, citizen participation, and evidence-based decision-making.
Mr. Daboh highlighted that compliance with ATI requirements enhances institutional credibility, reduces opportunities for corruption, and supports digital empowerment. He further noted that the SLLCA’s mandate to promote local participation in key economic sectors is closely linked to transparency and the free flow of information.
The programme culminated in the formal unveiling of the 2024 RAiC Annual Report, which outlines the Commission’s achievements, challenges, and progress in advancing the right to access information in Sierra Leone.
The accompanying ATI digital platforms training marked the second pilot workshop of its kind, aimed at equipping public institutions with the skills required to manage, publish, and share information more efficiently in the digital era.