Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, Information Commissioner

The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC)  has in a press statement released mid last week called on all Public Authorities, including Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs), to fully comply with the Right to Access Information Act by submitting their Annual Compliance Reports (ACR) and Proactive Disclosure Information (PDI) for the year ending 31st December, 2025 on or before 22nd January.

This reminder follows a formal correspondence issued by the Commission on 28th November, which clearly outlined the statutory compliance requirements and submission timelines. While RAIC commends institutions that have already fulfilled their obligations, the Commission notes with concern that several Public Authorities are yet to submit the required reports.

Emphasizing the heightened importance of compliance, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of RAIC, Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, stated:

“Compliance with the Right to Access Information Act—particularly the submission of Annual Compliance Reports and Proactive Disclosure Information—is not optional; it is a legal and moral obligation. Beginning in 2025, compliance with the ACR, PDI, and the Access to Information regime generally has been formally adopted by State House as a performance tracking indicator for all MDAs and SOEs. RAIC will present verified compliance data directly to State House, and Public Authorities that fail to comply will be found culpable and will have 0 data provided to the State House Performance Tracking Unit on their compliance with ATI. It is therefore imperative that all institutions treat the January 22 deadline with the seriousness it deserves, as transparency is fundamental to public trust, effective governance, and democratic accountability.”

RAIC therefore calls on all outstanding MDAs and SOEs to take immediate steps to complete and submit their ACR and PDI within the stipulated timeframe. The Commission reiterates that failure to comply may result in enforcement actions in accordance with the law and may negatively affect institutional performance assessments.

To support compliance, ACR and PDI templates are available for download on the RAIC website at www.raic.gov.sl. Public Authorities requiring clarification or technical assistance are encouraged to contact the RAIC Secretariat.

Enquiries may be directed to the RAIC Secretariat at 58 Kroo Town Road, Freetown, or via telephone on +232 78 342 501, +232 88 283 632, or +232 78 407 847. The Commission remains available to provide guidance to ensure timely and effective compliance.

RAIC urges all Public Authorities to act promptly and demonstrate their commitment to openness, transparency, and accountability by meeting the 22nd January deadline.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 19th January 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)