By Amara Thoronka
Freetown, 30th April 2026- The Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) and the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, 29th April 2026, at Integrity House – the national secretariat of the ACC in Freetown. The MoU is designed to ensure that the two public institutions work collaboratively in realizing and sustaining transparency and accountability through swift access to public information.
In his remark, Dr Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, the Chairman and Information Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission, noted that the mandates of both institutions are crucial in promoting an open and corruption-free society.
“The roles of the RAIC and ACC are different but complementary. Our mandate is to facilitate access to information while the ACC focuses on fighting against corruption. The Anti-Corruption Commission needs access to information in investigating and prosecuting acts of corruption,” the RAIC boss said.
Dr Seaga Shaw emphasized the importance of access to information in preventing and fighting corruption, explaining the significant role of proactive disclosure in evaluating how public funds are utilized.
He said the RAIC and ACC can collaborate on several fronts, including causing public institutions to make public information available proactively.
The Chairman and Information Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission applauded the Anti-Corruption Commission for being one of the compliant public authorities with their obligation under the Right to Access Information Act 2013, which mandates public authorities to adhere to both proactive and reactive disclosure of information. He also thanked the ACC leadership for the warm hospitality given to the delegation of the African Network of Information Commissioners, who were in Freetown recently to hold their executive meeting.
Dr Seaga Shaw seized the opportunity to remind the national anti-graft agency of the forthcoming International Conference of Information Commissioners (ICIC) and the global conference in observance of the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI), asking for collaboration and participation to ensure that the unprecedented two-in-one global conference in Freetown, Sierra Leone, is fruitful and remarkable.
Making a statement, Mr. Augustine Foday Ngobie, the Deputy Commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Commission, described the MoU as a significant milestone for both institutions.
“It is obvious that the mandates of both the RAIC and ACC centre on ensuring a transparent and accountable society, particularly for institutions that utilize public funds,” he stated.
Mr. Ngobie recognized the vital role of access to information, adding that, without access to timely and credible information, the work of the Anti-Corruption Commission will be very challenging.
He assured the RAIC of the ACC’s commitment to implementing the contents of the MOU and assured continued collaboration.
Mr. Patrick Sandi, the Coordinator of Operations at the ACC, maintained that both institutions should go beyond signing the MoU, adding that implementation of the MoU should start forthwith.
The MoU covers the establishment of a public accountability committee, sharing of information, joint public education, educational initiatives, training and capacity building, joint resource mobilization, and legislative and policy review.
Accompanying the RAIC Chairman were the Commissioner for Western Area, Pst. Mohamed Sesay, the Executive Secretary, Hon. Mustapha M. Braima, and other senior officials of the Right to Access Information Commission.
For media enquiries, contact:
Amara Thoronka
Public Information and Communications Officer
RAIC National Secretariat
+232 88 283632 / +232 78 231949
