Members of the high table and participants at the event
The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has launched the Digital Access to Information platform at a workshop held at the Family Kingdom Resort, Aberdeen, Freetown. Tuesday 26th March, 2024.
The Digital Access to Information platform (RAIC Website), upgraded from the old web site of the Commission, hosts Freedom of Information (FOI) forms A B C D in the 2022 RAI Regulations for requesters to access and put in an FOI request digitally regardless of geographical frontiers. The launching serves as the curtain raiser to a series of activities marking the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of the Right to Access Information Commission.
Keynote Speaker, Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education (MOIC) Bockarie A. A. Bawoh thanked the RAIC for taking up the task of rolling out activities that are in line with President Bio’s agenda. He added that the President saw the important of the information and he made a decision to divorce the Former ministry of Information from Communication, noting that they work of the RAIC is a testament that they are in the right trajectory. He cautioned all that there are bounds and limits but says the law is definitely clear about them. He concluded that all Sierra Leoneans should rebrand their thinking to adapt to the new information dispensation.
Welcoming participants, The Chairman and Information Commissioner Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw described the event as an important leap in the information access drive as it will give the leverage to the requesters who may not be able to put out a physical FOI request. “The RAIC since its inception in 2014, has only used analog means of putting and responding to FOI requests, but we were urged at the UNESCO conference to use the online space to promote access to information, which I and my team thought it fit to roll out this new initiative of going digital” Said the CIC.
“These features make the work lighter by the day not only for the demand and supply aspect, but also for the monitoring aspect as well”, said Dr. Shaw urging all present to serve as ambassadors for this change to help popularize this change and build up an information accessible country.
Director of Corporate Affairs at the National Telecommunications Agency (NATCA) Ben Foday, said they are delighted to collaborate with the RAIC through the supervision of the Ministires of Information and Civic Education and that of Communications, Technology and Innovation to empower the regulatory field and give opportunity to peer review with other countries. He added that the new digital access to information innovation by RAIC cannot be successful without an effective internet connectivity which is why Government has made significant achievement in the internet penetration as indicated in the National Broadband strategy (2023-2028)
Other Speakers from Statistics Sierra Leone, Society for Democratic Initiative (SDI) and Universal Access Development Fund, all appreciated the Commission for the innovation.
The Digital Information Management Officer (DIMO) of RAIC Amara Thoronka took participants through the new features of the RAIC upgraded website. The DIMO facilitated the technical workshop on digital access to information which was very interactive.
The forms on the RAIC website labelled A,B,C and D featuring FOI Request, FOI Acknowledgement, FOI Response and FOI Complaint platforms respectively.
For media inquiries, contact:
David Patrick Kamara - Public Information Officer
Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC)
National Secretariat - +23278407847
