𝐑𝐀𝐈𝐂 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐃𝐢𝐠𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐢 

The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) engaged public authorities, civil society organizations and the media on digital access to information and compliance with proactive and reactive information disclosures on14th May, 2025, at the RAIC’s northern regional office in Makeni. 

In his statement, RAIC’s Chairman and Information Commissioner, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, highlighted some key successes of the Commission, referencing the 19,426 freedom of information (FOI) requests recorded nationwide in 2023. 

He said the Commission uses a two-prong approach: babysitting or carrot approach which focuses on engaging and empowering public authorities to comply with the access to information law; and the stick approach which penalizes defaulters for non-compliance.

Dr. Shaw emphasized the relevance of public authorities, civil society and the media in realizing full compliance with the Right to Access Information Act 2013 and the Right to Access Information Regulations 2022. 

According to Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the digital platform, which the Commission has developed, was launched last year and that all the Freedom of Information Forms have been uploaded into the Commission`s website, adding that the consultant is at an advanced stage to improve the digital infrastructure. 

Dr. Shaw took participants through the Proactive Disclosure of Information (PDI) and Annual Compliance Report (ACR) templates - how to complete them and the rationale behind the two documents.

He urged public authorities, civil society and the media to support the implementation of the law, emphasizing that the Commission is primarily mandated by law to facilitate access to information in the country.

 The engagement was concluded with comments, questions, answers and shared views.

Hon. Mustapha Braima, the Executive Secretary of the Commission, moderated the engagement.

The engagement continued with a radio talk show at Amzas Radio in Makeni.

For more information, contact:

John Kalokoh

Public Information and Communication Officer

RAIC Northern Region

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

077994090/078173000