By Patrick Stephen Tokpah
-BONG
The Independent Information Commission (IIC) conducted a one-day training session on the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act for officials from line ministries, agencies, and commissions in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The training, which took place this week, was aimed at enhancing the understanding and application of the FOI Law to ensure better transparency and accountability in local governance.
The training was designed to equip local officials with the necessary knowledge to interpret and apply the FOI Act correctly.
The first session focused on explaining the scope of the law, the mandate of the IIC, the procedures for accessing public information, and the statutory exemptions under the FOI Law.
The director of Outreach Director at the IIC, Simmie S. Nyanfor, delivered a powerful address emphasizing the importance of the right to information as a fundamental human right.
He referenced Article 15© of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Chapter 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, all of which guarantee citizens the right to access information.
Nyanfor urged local authorities to be proactive in sharing information with the public, particularly concerning government programs, projects, and the use of public resources in the county’s budget.
He stressed that promoting openness, transparency, and accountability fosters public trust and confidence in county administration and strengthens good governance.
In the second session, IIC Acting Compliance Director, Armah Boimah Johnson, reminded officials of their statutory duties under the FOI Act.
He emphasized that public officials must respond promptly to requests for information by acknowledging the request and informing the requester in writing when the requested information will be available.
Johnson also called for Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs) to establish functional websites where they can publish essential documents, such as enabling legislations, budgets, material contracts, annual reports, service delivery charters, and other key information.
These online resources would allow the public to easily monitor the activities of government entities and improve transparency.
According to the program organizers, the IIC’s visit to Bong County was designed to achieve three main objectives: “To raise public awareness about the use of the FOI Law in promoting openness, transparency, and accountability through accessible public information, To provide training for local authorities (MACs) on their statutory obligations under the FOI Law, and To engage the County Administration and the Service Center Coordinator in discussions about expanding the Commission’s presence and services in the county.”
During the event, the Commissioner of the IIC, Joash T. Hodges, urged civil society organizations (CSOs) who had previously been denied access to information or had encountered significant delays in obtaining information to file formal complaints with the IIC.
He encouraged those affected to contact the County FOI Hub Coordinator for redress.
The Commissioner also emphasized that the visit, which included a joint trip with IIC Executive Director, Lorpu P. Page, was part of the Commission’s ongoing commitment to decentralization under the ARESST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID).
In a bid to further engage the public, the IIC Outreach & Compliance Director, alongside the Service Center Coordinator, Leon Harris, participated in a live appearance on Radio Gbarnga’s Super Morning Show.
This broadcast provided an opportunity to educate the public about their rights to information and the Commission’s role in defending and upholding access to public information.
The IIC’s outreach efforts continue to play a vital role in ensuring the proper implementation of the FOI Law and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability across Liberia.