The Ministry of Information and Civic Education with support from the United Nations Development Programme and Irish Aid, has successfully concluded a series of nationwide regional consultations on the draft Data Protection and Right to Access Information Regulatory Commission Bill, marking a critical step toward Sierra Leone’s first comprehensive data protection law.

Over the past month, consultations were held in Freetown, Makeni and Bo, bringing together government representatives, parliamentarians, regulators, civil society, private sector and institutions engaged in data control and processing. The process ensured that voices from across the country were included in shaping the draft legislation and identifying the infrastructure required for its effective implementation.

Across all three regions, stakeholders examined the draft bill in detail and provided feedback on key areas, including the independence and sustainability of the proposed Commission, the responsibilities of data controllers, penalties for non-compliance, inclusivity in leadership, and the need for strong public awareness as well as emphasizing the importance of aligning Sierra Leone’s framework with international best practices.

The Kono District Council Chairman, Augustine Sahr Sheku remarked that “this consultative approach resonates with and reflects the principles of good governance and resonates with Agenda 16 of the Sustainable Development Goals, which promotes inclusive institutions and participatory decision-making”. He went on to thank the Ministry for their hard work and gave assurances that the outcome of the sessions will be communicated far and wide by all stakeholders.

The Deputy Minister of Information and Civic Education, Bockarie Bawoh, in his closing remarks expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their active participation, noting that their input and feedback are vital to the lawmaking process and essential in fostering a sense of ownership of our laws.

With the conclusion of the regional engagements, the next steps will be to consolidate the feedback gathered from the consultations into a revised draft of the bill, which will be presented for validation before submission to Cabinet and Parliament. Sierra Leone is laying the groundwork for a modern, credible and inclusive data protection law by building trust and a shared commitment to protecting personal information in the digital age.