Vice President Pushes for Stronger Information Governance to Deepen Democracy

Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, has called for stronger access to credible information and effective information governance as critical pillars for consolidating democracy, strengthening accountability and empowering citizens to participate meaningfully in national development.

Delivering the keynote address at the opening of the 17th International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) and the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI) in Lungi, Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said the right to information remains fundamental to building trust between citizens and Government.

The high-level international conference, which runs from September 28 to 30, 2026, at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre in Lungi, is jointly organized by the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) and UNESCO.

Held under the theme, “Upholding Information Integrity in the Digital Age: The Role of Access to Information in Addressing Information Disorder,” the conference brings together information commissioners, policymakers, media practitioners, civil society representatives and governance experts from Sierra Leone and other countries.

It is important to note that Sierra Leone is hosting the global ICIC conference for the first time and becomes only the second African country, after South Africa in 2019, to host the gathering.

Addressing delegates, Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, described the conference as taking place at an “opportune and challenging time,” noting that the world is firmly in the Information Age, where the ability of citizens to access and use reliable information is increasingly important.

Reflecting on Sierra Leone’s political and democratic journey, the Vice President recalled the country’s long history of journalism and the difficult periods during which democratic institutions and fundamental freedoms came under considerable pressure.

He said restoring democracy and strengthening institutions capable of protecting fundamental rights were crucial to rebuilding Sierra Leone following years of instability.

“Access to information and communication is fundamental in building a democratic state where the rights of citizens are respected, but also the commitment to follow through with international treaties,” Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh said.

According to the Vice President, access to information strengthens trust between citizens and Government, enables people to assess the performance of public institutions and provides an important mechanism for promoting accountability and reducing corruption.

He pointed to the enactment of the Right to Access Information Act in 2013, the establishment of the Right to Access Information Commission and the repeal of the criminal libel law in 2020 among developments in Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen citizens’ rights to information.

Vice President Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, however, acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly with limited internet infrastructure and connectivity in rural communities, misinformation, disinformation and institutional resistance to making public information readily available.

He also drew attention to the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence and other digital technologies, noting that they are reshaping the production, verification, dissemination and consumption of information.

The Vice President stressed that young democracies need resilient information ecosystems capable of responding effectively to such emerging challenges while protecting citizens’ right to credible information.

“One critical indicator to measure our young democracy is access to information,” he stated, emphasizing that access to reliable information allows citizens to scrutinize Government commitments, participate in policy discussions and determine whether public institutions are delivering on their responsibilities.

Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, further called for stronger international cooperation and practical solutions that recognize the economic and institutional realities confronting developing countries.

He noted that young democracies are simultaneously grappling with economic pressures, climate change, debt burdens and rising energy costs, creating competing demands on limited national resources.

Against that background, he underscored the importance of international solidarity in supporting countries such as Sierra Leone to establish stronger information-governance systems while pursuing broader development priorities.

Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, disclosed that more than 200 delegates from at least 41 countries had gathered at the Julius Maada Bio International Conference Centre for the conference.

Chernor Bah described Sierra Leone’s history as deeply connected to freedom and democratic resilience, highlighting reforms undertaken over the years to strengthen freedom of expression, access to information and protection of citizens’ rights.

He also urged international participants to use their collective knowledge and experience to develop practical outcomes from the conference that could strengthen information integrity and democratic governance.

Acting Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Jamestina Essie Leonora King, highlighted efforts by the Judiciary to improve public access to information, including opening courtrooms to journalists and making judgments increasingly accessible online.

Chairman of the Right to Access Information Commission, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, described the conference theme as timely, stressing that the Commission is working to ensure access to information becomes a practical reality for citizens rather than merely a statutory provision.

“The theme is apt because, as Information Commissioners, our primary focus is to provide access to information, and RAIC is working tirelessly to ensure that it is not just a statutory document, but a lived reality for all,” Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw said.

Chairman of the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy, Joseph Munda Bindi, was also among stakeholders participating in the international gathering.

Vice President, Dr Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, welcomed delegates from around the world and expressed appreciation to the ICIC, UNESCO and other partners for supporting Sierra Leone in hosting the conference.

He subsequently declared the 2026 International Conference of Information Commissioners and International Day for Universal Access to Information conference officially open, reaffirming the importance of building an information ecosystem that supports democracy, transparency, accountability and meaningful citizen participation.

The three-day conference is expected to deepen international cooperation and provide a platform for stakeholders to examine practical approaches to strengthening access to information, protecting information integrity and confronting misinformation and other forms of information disorder in an increasingly digital world.