The Independent Information Commission (IIC) has intensified efforts to promote transparency and accountability through a one-day Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance training in Gbarnga, Bong County. The training targeted officials from various ministries, agencies, and commissions to enhance their understanding and application of the FOI Act.
The session focused on the scope of the FOI law, the mandate of the IIC, and the procedures for accessing public information. Participants were also briefed on statutory exemptions under the law to ensure a clear understanding of the legal boundaries governing public information disclosure.
IIC Outreach Director Simmie S. Nyanfor emphasized that access to information is a fundamental right guaranteed by Article 15(c) of Liberia’s 1986 Constitution, as well as international human rights instruments such as the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights. He urged local authorities to provide the public with timely information on government programs, projects, and the use of public resources, stressing that transparency fosters public trust in local administrations.
During the second session, IIC Acting Compliance Director Armah Boimah Johnson reminded public officials of their legal duty to respond promptly to information requests. He outlined the steps required, including acknowledging requests, providing timelines for responses, and ensuring the timely release of information. Johnson also called on government institutions to establish functional websites to publish key documents such as budgets, policies, and annual reports, allowing the public to monitor their activities.
Commissioner Joash T. Hodges encouraged Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to file complaints with the IIC if their requests for information are denied or ignored after exhausting internal review processes. These complaints can be submitted through the County FOI Hub Coordinator.
Hodges further explained that his visit to Bong County, alongside IIC Executive Director Lorpu P. Page, aligns with the Commission’s efforts to decentralize operations under the ARESST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). The initiative aims to improve access to information across Liberia’s counties.
