The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) today joins UNESCO and other Countries around the globe to commemoration the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) which is globally observed 0n 28th September every year, following a resolution proclaimed at the UN General Assembly on 15th October, 2019.
The ceremony was held at the Conference Room of Family Kingdom Hotel at Aberdeen Road in Freetown with simultaneous programs held at the Commission’s regional offices in the Country, geared towards providing an opportunity for stakeholders to throw insights and perspectives on this year’s theme “Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance and Access to Information”.
In his key Note address, The Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, Solomon Jamiru commends RAIC’s collaboration with UNESCO in commemorating the Universal Access to Information which he said is globally becoming a philosophy and increasingly being mainstream as a development imperative. He reckons open governance as the new vogue and the importance and appropriateness of the theme RAIC has precisely localized and titled “E-Governance and open data pathway to Access Information”. He said in all democratic dispensations, open government is the new vogue and therefore concluded by reaffirming the government’s commitment to digital transformation. He called on all participants to uptake in a functioning digital ecosystem that is citizen-centered; where public bodies can generate data and make those data sets available for use, reuse and for public Value. He encouraged government and non-governmental Players to recommit to making e-government and open data an unfettered reality.
The chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr. Seaga Shaw said, this year’s event takes us back to reflect on where we are as a nation by prompting an opportunity for stakeholders to throw insights and perspectives on access to information. the Commission he said is cognizant of the important role artificial intelligence and e- government can play to improve access to information in the digital world. These strands he said can help bridge the digital divide by giving citizens access to suitable and accessible information which can assure services that are more efficient to enhance transparency, accountability and sustainable socio-economic development. He made reference to areas where the country has taken serious steps towards e- government by citing an example of the e-governance coordination office at the Ministry of Information and Communications, section 29 of the RAI Act that provides for public institutions to have ICT departments.
A similar statement was made by the Chief Executive officer of Universal Access Development Fund(UADF), Madam Marie Momoh who said the connectivity infrastructure platform is the backbone to enhance Artificial Intelligence, E-Governance and open data which forms this year’s theme on IDUAI 2022. She committed to helping to push for an improvement on the same as her organization was set up to facilitate this process.
The President of SLAJ, Ahmed Nasrallah in his statement said the ceremony is a moment of reflection based on the theme to assess the country’s infrastructure and how we should ensure the RAIC work efficiently. He said the RAI Act is important to our democracy and the Government should ensure the Commission is fully strengthened. He said SLAJ is fully committed to support the work of the Commission in the Country.
The next guest speaker called upon by the moderator of the program, who doubles as the Executive Secretary of RAIC, Hon. Mustapha Braima was Daniel Kaitibi, The Director General of NATCOM to make a statement. In his statement, he said Freedom of Information is key to National Development and went further to highlight the types of Data and its importance. He called on the Commission to be sensitive to the kind of information bordering on public officials that should be divulged to the public. He concluded by encouraging heads of MDAs to fully cooperate with the Commission in the implementation of its mandate in the Country.
Dr. Francis Sowa, National Coordinator for Media Reform Coordinating Group highlighted the thematic aspect of this year’s IDUAI which he said is the ability of electronic machines to work in human form and government activities to be cascaded in ICT format thereby enabling smooth access to Information. He said the Country does not have the requisite infrastructure facilities and that key players need to be serious enough to strengthen the Commission for a smooth implementation of its mandate in the Country.
The President of SLAJ, Ahmed Nasrallah in his statement said the ceremony is a moment of reflection based on the theme to assess the country’s infrastructure and how we should ensure the RAIC work efficiently. He said the RAI Act is important to our democracy and the Government should ensure the Commission is fully strengthened. He said SLAJ is fully committed to support the work of the Commission in the Country.
The Representative from Statistics Sierra Leone, Mr. Ansumana commend the work of RAIC and outscore the importance to strengthen the Institutional collaboration between the two Institutions. He said Stats SL has always spontaneously responded to FOI requests and submission of PDI to RAIC which is the key reason for bagging the golden award from the Commission.
The program was climaxed by outstanding Comments and Questions from representatives from the Anti-Corruption Commission and Public Service Commission respectively, referencing the statement initially made by the D.G of NATCOM with regards to limiting the disclosure of Personal Information of Public Officials. Silvester Blake asked the Commission to clarify if there is actually personal Information for public Officials, the Chairman of RAIC accordingly responded and cited part 3 of the RAI Act that deals with personal information but said the public interest should always come first.
