By: Mamajah Jalloh
Sierra Leone is set to host two major international information conferences in September, with preparations underway to welcome approximately 300 delegates from around the world.
The UNESCO International Day for Universal Access to Information and the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) will be held over three days at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi.
As part of preparations, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, convened a high-level coordination meeting at the Ministry’s conference room, bringing together representatives from key government institutions.
In his opening remarks, Minister Bah underscored the significance of the conferences, noting that the participation of international delegates reflects growing global recognition of Sierra Leone’s progress in promoting access to information.
“These conferences are landmark events for Sierra Leone,” he said, while emphasizing President Julius Maada Bio’s directive for all institutions involved to “put our best foot forward” to ensure the successful hosting of the events.
The Minister also stressed the need to sustain the momentum generated by the conferences and position Sierra Leone to attract and host more high-level international events in the future.
The Chairman of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, provided a technical update, identifying transportation as a key logistical concern and calling for stronger coordination among participating institutions.
Representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Transport and Aviation, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Office of National Security (ONS) also provided updates on their preparations and commitments.
Key areas discussed included transportation and logistics, security, healthcare preparedness, internet connectivity and power supply, live-streaming capabilities, and diplomatic protocol.
The institutions outlined measures to ensure effective coordination before and throughout the conferences, with preparations focused on providing a seamless experience for delegates from arrival to departure.
The conferences are expected to showcase Sierra Leone’s readiness and capacity to host major international engagements while strengthening the country’s profile as a destination for global conferences.
They are also expected to reinforce Sierra Leone’s commitment to transparency, access to information, and good governance, in line with the country’s broader development agenda.