By Thaimu T Kamara
The Minister of Information and Civic Education, Hon. Chernor Bah, has tabled two significant legislative Bills in Parliament aimed at strengthening data protection, promoting access to public information and modernising Sierra Leone’s national records and archives management system.
The two Bills, which were presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 5, 2026, are the Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill, 2026, and the National Records and Archives Bill, 2026.
Both pieces of legislation have successfully completed the Introduction and First Reading stages in accordance with Parliament’s Standing Orders and established legislative procedures, marking an important step towards strengthening the country’s information governance and institutional accountability framework.
The Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill, 2026, is designed to provide a stronger legal framework for protecting citizens’ privacy and personal information while promoting transparency and the public’s right to access information held by public institutions.
A major feature of the proposed legislation is the establishment of a unified authority with a dual mandate to oversee access to public information and ensure the protection of personal data.
The proposed framework is expected to address the growing importance of responsible information management in an increasingly digital society, where the collection, storage, processing and sharing of personal information have become central to public administration and service delivery.
By bringing data protection and access to information under one institutional framework, the Bill seeks to strengthen citizens’ rights, improve institutional accountability and promote responsible handling of information across both public and private institutions.
The second piece of legislation, the National Records and Archives Bill, 2026, seeks to modernise and strengthen Sierra Leone’s national records management and archival system.
The proposed law is intended to provide a stronger framework for the management, preservation and protection of official records and historical documents, recognising their importance to effective governance, institutional memory and national heritage.
An effective records management system is considered essential for ensuring that government information is properly documented, securely maintained and accessible when required. It also plays a critical role in promoting transparency, supporting administrative efficiency and preserving important historical records for future generations.
The introduction of the two Bills represents a significant legislative development for the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, particularly as Sierra Leone continues to strengthen its governance institutions and improve the management of public information.
The proposed laws also reflect the growing need for modern legislative frameworks that respond to emerging challenges associated with digital information, citizens’ privacy, public accountability and the preservation of national records.
Following their successful Introduction and First Reading, both Bills will now proceed through the subsequent stages of the parliamentary legislative process.
These include the Second Reading, during which Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to debate the general principles and objectives of the proposed laws; the Committee Stage, where the provisions will be examined in greater detail; and the Third Reading, which will provide the final opportunity for parliamentary consideration before a possible enactment into law.
The Bills will therefore require further parliamentary scrutiny and approval before they can become part of Sierra Leone’s legal framework.
If enacted, the proposed legislation could mark an important step towards strengthening citizens’ access to information, safeguarding personal data, improving public-sector records management and preserving the country’s documentary heritage.
The development underscores the importance of establishing modern, transparent and accountable information management systems capable of supporting Sierra Leone’s democratic governance and institutional development.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 9th November 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
