By Amara Thoronka
Dr Seaga Shaw displaying his award just after receiving it
Dr Seaga Shaw (far right) and Hon. Melrose Karminty (Center) displaying their awards with well-wishers including NASSIT DG Fuad Daboh, LCA DG Fodeba Dabor, and Deputy Trade Minister, Hon Ramatulai Kargbo
Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC), received a prestigious continental award at the African Development Conference held at the Freetown International Conference Center on Thursday, 10th October 2024.
According to organizers of the African Development Conference and Awards, Dr. Seaga Shaw was recognized as “Most Outstanding Information and Communication Specialist” because of his enviably longstanding remarkable role in promoting transparency, accountability, good governance and civics drawing on his expertise in information and communication in Africa.
Reacting to the recognition, Dr Shaw expressed delight and gratitude to the organizers of the awards to have recognized his effort in promoting Access to Information (ATI) in Sierra Leone.
“Very delighted yesterday to receive an award from the African Development Conference in the category of Most Outstanding Information and Communication Specialist. This is in recognition of my expertise and great work we have done in promoting ATI in SL,” he wrote on X a day after receiving the award.
RAIC Boss Dr Seaga Shaw and Hon Melrose Karminty(centre) flanked by other awardees displaying their plaques they received at the end of a special dinner hosted on their behalf at the Radisson Blu Mammy Yoko Hotel
Dr. Shaw was among very few Sierra Leoneans recognized by organizers of the Conference, making the recognition highly prestigious. Other awardees include the Honourable Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh who was recognized for his leadership in securing the much-talked-about US$480 million MCC grant and Social Welfare Minister Mrs. Melrose Karminty for her role in establishing a rehab center for Kush victims.
Other awardees are from other African countries.
It is hugely evident that since Dr. Shaw took over the leadership of the Right to Access Information Commission, access to information from public authorities has been steadily increasing. Under his leadership, the RAIC now has functional regional offices, functional open data center, digitalized access to information mechanism, more staff and an impressive media and public visibility across all regions. He also pushed hard for the enactment of the RAIC Regulations 2022 with renewed commitment to have a Data Protection Law which is at an advanced stage.
On the international front, due to the charisma, professionalism and dedication to service he exhibits, Sierra Leone is recognized as a vibrant member of the African Network of Information Commissioners (ANIC), the continental body that brings together members of access to information oversight bodies from African countries to brainstorm and promote access to information in the continent. Dr Shaw sits on the Executive Committee of ANIC representing the West African Region.
Dr Seaga Shaw receiving the ADC Award from Hon. Ramatulai Wurie, Hon. Minister of Technical and Higher Education
Also, Dr Shaw’s result-oriented leadership tied to national and global development agendas has caused Sierra Leone to be not only a member but a key player at the International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC). As a testament of his leadership, during this year’s ICIC Conference in Albania, it was confirmed and announced that Sierra Leone will be the host of the 2026 ICIC Conference. This will be the second time such conference is held in Africa and first time in West Africa. Dr Seaga Shaw also sits on the Executive Committee of the ICIC.
Dr. Shaw is known in-country and internationally for his expertise and knowledge-impacting in media and communication with widely read publications.
