The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (NaMEA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote and enforce transparency and accountability across public institutions on Thursday 22nd January 2026 at NaMEA’s head office in Freetown.
Signing the collaborative document, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC said there is resonance between the mandates of both institutions, noting that while NaMEA does monitoring and evaluation of programs and projects of public institutions, the RAIC facilitates access to information held by these institutions.
“Our mandates are different, but there is however a nexus. There is something the RAIC and NaMEA have in common, which is, to ensure transparency and accountability in public institutions. NaMEA and other public accountability institutions cannot be efficient in monitoring and evaluating institutions without available credible data or information. This is where the mandate of RAIC comes to play,” Dr Seaga Shaw stated, adding that the signing and implementation of the MoU would realize and sustain the synergy of both institutions in enhancing good governance, best practices and development in general.
The RAIC boss emphasized the relevance of access to information, saying it is the only way people can make informed decisions and hold institutions accountable. “The people should benefit from public funds. Value for money is also of great essence. With access to information, people are empowered to actively participate in public programs and projects and give data-informed feedback,” he noted.
Dr Shaw seized the opportunity to encourage public authorities to have functional and regularly updated websites, social media and other platforms where they proactively disclose information; adding that public authorities should also timely and adequately respond to information requests as he cited sections in the Right to Access Information Act 2013 which obliges public authorities to do both proactive and reactive disclosure of information. He also encouraged public institutions to complete their Annual Compliance Report and Proactive Disclose of Information Scheme, citing consequences for non-compliance.
In his remarks, Dr James Edwin, the Director General of NaMEA, reiterated the nexus between the Right to Access Information Commission and the National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency, noting that the implementation of the MoU would do justice to the people of Sierra Leone on whose behalf public offices are occupied and public funds utilized.
“The people of this country deserve to know what happens with the monies used by public institutions, and the programs and projects they implement to enhance public evaluation and scrutiny,” the Director General of NaMEA affirmed.
He described the MoU as a great venture that is pivotal for the overall common good of the country.
The MoU seeks to establish a formal framework for collaboration between RAIC and NaMEA in sharing information, data, best practices, and to ensure compliance with legal mandates on transparency, monitoring and evaluation of government programs, policies and projects.
For media enquiries, contact:
Amara Thoronka
Public Information and Communications Officer
RAIC – National Secretariat
+232 88 283632 / +232 78 231949
