By Linus Flomo
/BASSA
The Independent Information Commission (IIC) on Friday conducted a one-day Freedom of Information (FOI) Awareness and Compliance Training for departmental and sectional heads of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation (NASSCORP).
The event, held in Monrovia, is part of the IIC’s ongoing efforts to promote compliance with the FOI Act, as mandated under Chapter 5, Section 5.2(e) of the law.
The training aimed to educate public officials on their legal obligations to ensure timely access to information and empower citizens to exercise their right to know.
Delivering the opening presentation, Liberia’s Independent Information Commissioner, Joash T. Hodges, outlined the legal foundation of the FOI regime in Liberia.
He explained the origins and significance of the right to information, citing Article 15© of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and Chapter 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Commissioner Hodges emphasized that access to information is fundamental to democratic governance, asserting that public institutions serve as custodians of information on behalf of the people.
“The public has the right to request, receive, review, reproduce, and retain information held by public institutions or private bodies performing public functions,” he stated.
He further stressed that public access to information enhances government efficiency, fosters public trust, encourages investment, and allows citizens to actively participate in governance processes.
The second session, led by IIC Director for Compliance, Armah Boimah Johnson, focused on NASSCORP’s specific obligations under the FOI Act.
Johnson urged the institution to establish an Internal Information Request Review Body, as stipulated in Chapter 6, Section 6.2 of the Act.
He also called on NASSCORP Director-General Dewitt von Ballmoos to ensure the proactive disclosure of budgets, policies, procurement contracts, and other key operational documents in compliance with Chapter 5, Section 5.3(f) of the law.
Johnson highlighted the importance of leadership in enforcing FOI compliance across government institutions. “Heads of institutions are legally obligated to ensure their subordinates uphold the FOI Act,” he noted.
The training also saw an engaging exchange between officials. NASSCORP’s Legal Coordinator, Cllr. Sia Ella Sammy, raised concerns over ambiguous language in the FOI Law.
She urged the IIC to consider revising the legislation to clarify terms such as “personal information,” arguing that its lack of specificity could lead to unnecessary legal disputes.
Responding, Johnson revealed that a Personal Data Protection and Privacy Bill will soon be submitted to the Legislature.
He clarified that while employees’ salaries are generally considered exempt, institutions must demonstrate potential harm from disclosure to withhold such information.
If public interest outweighs the risk, the information must be disclosed, he added.
NASSCORP’s Assistant Director General for Public Education and Public Information Officer, Winston Jah, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to transparency.
“We owe accountability to the public,” he said, thanking Commissioner Hodges and the IIC team for the training.
Jah pledged that NASSCORP would continue to proactively share information on its programs and services.
Commissioner Hodges closed the event by commending NASSCORP for its cooperation and reiterating the Commission’s readiness to support institutions in achieving full FOI compliance.
The IIC announced plans to host a similar training for the Liberia National Police on May 15, 2025, as part of its broader strategy to foster a culture of openness across all government entities.
