The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) met with Mr. Norihito Yonebayashi, Resident Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 at the RAIC Secretariat on Kroo Town Road, Freetown. This landmark meeting marks the first engagement between RAIC and JICA since the Commission’s establishment in 2014.
Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, stated that the Commission initiated the meeting to ensure that JICA is fully apprised of RAIC’s mandate under the Right to Access Information Act of 2013 and its ongoing implementation, as well as explore areas of collaboration. He highlighted RAIC’s core role in facilitating public access to information—ensuring that all public authorities proactively and reactively disclose public information; appoint Public Information Officers; and establish ICT and records-management units—and clarified the scope of exemptions contained in Sections 12–26 of the Act, which protect some categories of information such as national security, personal data, and commercial interest. Dr. Shaw also drew attention to RAIC’s forthcoming oversight responsibilities for the Data Protection Bill, soon to be tabled in Parliament, and proudly announced that Sierra Leone has won the bid to host the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) in 2026. He further underscored RAIC’s interest in collaborating with JICA on capacity-building programs and the development of digital platforms to streamline information management across government.
Responding on behalf of JICA, Mr. Yonebayashi expressed keen interest in partnering with RAIC. He enquired about the Commission’s institutional independence and background, to which Dr. Shaw explained that RAIC is an autonomous statutory body established by the RAI Act of 2013 and operates free from political interference. Mr. Yonebayashi then outlined JICA’s current focus areas in Sierra Leone—health (notably support for the Lumley Pediatric Hospital), governance infrastructure (including upgrades at the Electricity Generation and Transmission Corporation), and capacity building (such as training programs for the Ministry of Communications and the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Corporation). He encouraged Sierra Leone to tap into the upcoming African Conference for African Development as a valuable forum for sharing experiences and strengthening continental partnerships.
The Meeting was also attended by Hon. Mustapha Braima, Executive Secretary, Pastor Mohamed Sessay, Western Area Commissioner, Alan Benjamin, Esq., Legal & Compliance Manager, Fanata Morgan, Records Manager and David Patrick Kamara, Public Information & Communications Manage.
The meeting concluded with both organizations reaffirming their commitment to strengthening transparency, good governance, and access to information in Sierra Leone through continued collaboration and exchange of expertise.
For further information, please contact:
David Patrick Kamara, Public Information & Communications Manager
Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC)
+232 78407847
