The Independent Information Commission/IIC on Friday, May 2, 2025 held a One Day Freedom of Information Awareness and Compliance Training for departmental and sectional heads of the National Social Security and Welfare Corporations (NASSCORP).
The training is part of the Commission’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness on the compliance obligations of MACs to promote full Compliance with the FOI Act as required under Chapter 5 section 5.2(e) of the FOI Law.
Liberia’s Information Commissioner, Hon. Joash T. Hodges led the opening session of the training with a presentation focused on the legal background establishing freedom of information in Liberia, the scope of the FOI Law, mandate of the Independent Information Commission, the core values, vision, mission, strategic objectives under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, the public rights under the FOI Law, the statutory exemptions and appeal procedures.
The IIC Commissioner notes that the public Right to Information is fundamental and essential to democratic governance. He explained that the right to information is enshrined in Article 15c of the 1986 Constitution of Liberia, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Chapter 9 of the African Charter on Humans and People’s Rights.
Commissioner Hodges further expounded that the public has the right to request, receive, review, reproduce and retain Information held by public bodies and private institutions performing public functions or receiving public funding or benefits.
The IIC head stated that the public right to access information from the government does not require reason or justification. He clarified that government institutions hold information not for themselves, but as agents and custodians of the public good.
The IIC Boss encouraged government entities to uphold the public rights to access information in a timely manner as prescribed under the FOI Law, noting that such practice will increase public trust and confidence in government, promote transparency and accountability, allow citizens participation, encourage investors and investment and make government more efficient and effective.
IIC Director for Compliance, Armah Boimah Johnson led the second session of the training with emphasis on the obligations of the NASSCORP under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mr. Johnson called on NASSCORP Director-General, Hon. Dewitt von Ballmooos who have been supportive of Freedom of Information endeavors to establish an Internal Information Request Review Body as required under Chapter 6 section 6.2 of the FOI Act.
The Internal Information Review body is the final decision-making body of any government entity in determining whether or not a requested information should be released or not.
Mr. Johnson called on the NASSCORP boss to ensure the publication of the entity’s approved Budgets, existing policies, procedures, guidelines, regulations, financial account (Expenditure Reports), procurement contracts on goods and services and any other information that will enable the public monitor the entity’s workings and undertakings.
Mr. Johnson stated his call on NASSCCORP Head to ensure compliance is in keeping with Chapter 5 section 5.3(f) of the FOI Act which places the obligations to ensure subordinates compliance with the FOI Act on the Head of Institution.
In response to the presentation, NASSCCORP Legal Coordinator, Cllr. Sia Ella Sammy called on the IIC to review the FOI Law and remove ambiguous provisions and make explicit or definitive terms used to avoid legal interpretations from the Court. She referenced personal Information and stated that the FOI Law doesn’t name documents or records that could constitute unreasonable disclosure of personal information.
In response to Cllr. Sammy, Johnson informed the participants that the Personal Data Protection and privacy Bill will be submitted soon from the Executive to Legislature. Mr. Johnson clarified that Employees’ salaries are documents that falls within the Exemptions of the FOI Law. He called on those who claimed to consider salary as classified are under statutory obligations to show the harm to be created by the disclosure of that information. Johnson noted that if the public interest is greater than the harm to be created by the disclosure of the information, then the information will be disclosed under the public test.
NASSCORP Assistant Director General for Public Education and Public Information Officer, Mr. Winston Jah told the participants that NASSCORP owes accountability to the public.
Mr. Jah Thanked Mr. Hoges and his Team for holding such an Important training and pledged NASSCORP compliance with the FOI Act and look forward to working commissions in fulfilling its Freedom of Information obligations
Mr. Jah said that NASSCORP will continue to be proactive in providing information to the Public on programs and Services it renders to the public.
In his closing remarks, Commissioner Hodges thanked NASSCCORP for its support to the IIC in making the training a success and expressed the commission willingness to work with NASSCORP in ensure full Compliance with the FOI Act.
The IIC is expected to hold another Compliance Training with the Liberia National Police on May 15, 2025.
