The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) has taken steps to reactivate the coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on Access to Information, following a strategic meeting held on Tuesday 19th August, 2025, at the office of the Chairman and Information Commissioner, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, on Kroo Town Road, Freetown.
The coalition, which was active during the formative stages of the passing of the Right to Access Information Act and the establishment of the RAIC, is being revived to strengthen collaboration between the Commission and civil society in promoting transparency, accountability, and public participation.
Welcoming officials from FORWARD-SL, Budget Advocacy Network (BAN), Center for Human Rights and Development International (CHRDI), and Transparency International (TI) Sierra Leone, Dr. Shaw commended the role CSOs played in the early years of the Commission. He stressed, however, that their engagement should not end with the adoption of the law.
“The Commission has achieved a lot over the past ten years, but much more could have been accomplished with a fully active coalition in place. This is why its reactivation is both timely and necessary,” Dr. Shaw said.
Dr. Shaw outlined several key areas of potential collaboration with CSOs, including:
• Nationwide advocacy on Access to Information (ATI)
• Popularization and capacity building
• Compliance monitoring on ATI
• Harmonization of policies and regulatory frameworks
• Strengthening international collaborations
• Preparations for the ICIC 2026 Conference, which Sierra Leone will host in September next year.
In their responses, the CSO representatives welcomed the initiative: Charles Keif Kobai, Executive Director of FORWARD-SL, described the move as bold, adding that the united voice of CSOs will significantly influence the Access to Information space in Sierra Leone. Abdul Fatoma, Chief Executive of CHRDI pledged his organization’s support for the coalition as long as it serves the best interests of the country. Abu Bakarr Kamara, Executive Director of BAN commended Dr. Shaw for the initiative and suggested that Terms of Reference (TORs) be developed to guide the process. Edward B. Koroma, Executive Director of Transparency International, Sierra Leone highlighted that such partnerships would help build trust between public authorities and citizens.
Dr. Shaw assured the CSOs that the coalition would not compromise their independence:
“The coalition will give you the free will to speak your minds—even to critique the RAIC—whenever necessary,” he affirmed.
The reactivation of this coalition marks a renewed effort to consolidate democratic governance, accountability, and transparency through stronger collaboration between the RAIC and Sierra Leone’s civil society sector.
For more information, please contact:
David Patrick Kamara
Manager, Public Information and Communications
Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC)
Email:
Tel: +232 78 407847
