Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr

The Chairman of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, has disclosed that Sierra Leone is currently the best performing country in terms of access to information compliance, according to a study conducted by the Canada-based Centre for Law and Democracy.

Dr. Shaw made this disclosure during the Weekly Press Conference held at the Bonthe Community Centre on Bonthe Island, where he highlighted Sierra Leone’s strong performance across all international access-to-information indicators.

“Access to information is a fundamental right and a pillar of democracy,” Dr. Shaw stated, emphasizing the importance of transparency in governance. He added, “We are not here to withhold information; we are here to facilitate access to it.”

Providing an update on the upcoming International Conference of Information Commissioners scheduled for September 2026, Dr. Shaw explained that the event will bring together approximately 300 information commissioners and key stakeholders from around the world, positioning Sierra Leone as a key player in global transparency and governance discussions. “Hosting the International Conference of Information Commissioners will place Sierra Leone on the global transparency map,” he noted.

Dr. Shaw further outlined Sierra Leone’s access to information framework, explaining that RAIC supports citizens to request information, monitors compliance by public authorities, and promotes proactive disclosure of information by institutions. He stressed that public institutions must proactively disclose information, rather than waiting for citizens to ask.

He also highlighted that access to information has now been incorporated into government performance assessments, reinforcing accountability and transparency across public institutions. “Access to information is now part of how public institutions are measured for performance,” he explained.