The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) held a day-long consultative engagement with public authorities and civil society organizations in an effort to develop the RAIC Rules of Procedure and Complaints Handling Manual, a comprehensive and user-friendly document that seeks to guide the process of accessing and providing information held by public authorities and also on how to handle complaints emanating from reported breach of the Right to Access Information Act 2013.
The engagement took place on Thursday 18th June 2026 at the RAIC National Secretariat in Freetown, bringing together key state and non-state stakeholders in access to information to carefully scan through the draft manual for thorough scrutiny.
Welcoming participants, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC said the access to information procedures and complaints manual is part of the continued efforts of the Commission to enhance public understanding and expedite complaint handling.
Dr. Seaga Shaw noted that the Right to Access Information Commission is mandated by the RAI Act 2013 to facilitate access to information held by public authorities, something he said can only be achieved sustainably through awareness raising, capacity-building and robust enforcement.
“The RAIC Rules of Procedure and Complaint Handling Manual was developed by a consultant. However, because the Commission values and recognizes the role of civil society organizations and government institutions regarding right to information, that is why we invited all of you to take a close look at the document and recommend essential adjustments or modifications where necessary,” the RAIC boss informed participants.
He encouraged participants to peruse the document with a mindset to make it a valuable national right-to-information instrument that will meet benchmarks of best practice and stand the test of time.
Making a statement, Eleanor Thompson, the managing lead of Citizens’ Barray, commended the Right to Access Information Commission for doing the right thing by inviting key national players in right to information to contribute to the document.
She said the manual will help guide the process of handling complaints from aggrieved parties and that the public will better understand the stages and details in the access-to-information process.
Charles Keif-Kobai, the executive director of FORWARD Sierra Leone, said the Right to Access Information Commission is consistent in its consideration to always invite civil society organizations to contribute their expertise to documents, innovations and programs designed to advance popularization and understanding of the RAI law, mandate of the Commission, how to access information and how to complain public authorities for non-compliance.
Elkass Sannoh, the director of communication at the Judiciary of Sierra Leone, conveyed the commitment of the Chief Justice and the Judiciary in promoting and upholding human rights, including the right to information.
He commended the Right to Access Information Commission for developing the document and inviting crucial stakeholders to study the document and make inputs.
Alice A. Kamara, legal and policy adviser at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, pledged the continued support and commitment of the ministry to the Right to Access Information Commission in ensuring that access to information is promoted and upheld by all public authorities.
She said access to information is a key focus area of the Ministry and something the Information and Civic Education Minister, Chernor Bah, takes very seriously as other human rights revolve around it.
Alan Benjamin Esq., the legal and compliance manager of the Right to Access Information Commission, did a PowerPoint presentation on the draft document and projected the document itself for everyone to see, read and scrutinise.
The over thirty participants, drawn from civil society and public institutions, made impressive contributions and recommendations.
Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC assured participants that their contributions and recommendations would be considered and added in the final document which he said would be a working guide in addressing right-to-information complaints and related issues.
Hon. Mustapha M. Braima, the Executive Secretary of RAIC, chaired the consultative engagement. He encouraged participants to further read the draft RAIC Rules of Procedure and Complaints Handling Manual and forward their comments and suggestions to the email address provided during the engagement.
