Liberia: LIC Conducts FOI Compliance Training At Ministry of Labor

- The Independent Information Commission (IIC) has conducted a Freedom of Information (FOI) compliance training at the Ministry of Labor as part of its ongoing nationwide efforts to strengthen transparency and accountability across public institutions.

The training was led by the IIC's Acting Compliance Director, Mr. Armah Boimah Johnson, and brought together senior officials and technical staff of the Ministry. The session focused on the legal framework of the FOI Act and practical steps required for full institutional compliance.

Mr. Johnson highlighted Liberia's leadership in access to information, noting that the country became the first in West Africa to enact a comprehensive FOI law in 2010 and the first in Africa to establish an independent Information Commission. He emphasized that the law is anchored in the Constitution of Liberia and key international human rights instruments that guarantee citizens' right to access public information.

Participants were informed of mandatory compliance requirements, including the appointment of Public Information Officers, establishment of Internal Information Request Review Bodies, proactive publication of information, maintenance of functional institutional websites, and timely submission of annual FOI compliance reports.

During the engagement, the Ministry of Labor officially received Public Information Officer and Internal Review Body appointment forms. These were formally accepted by Hon. Steven B. Kolubah, Deputy Minister of Planning and Manpower Development, on behalf of the Ministry.

The training also provided practical guidance on handling information requests, emphasizing statutory timelines, lawful use of exemptions, proper request transfers, and the responsible protection of sensitive information in line with the Code of Conduct for public officials.

Mr. Johnson stressed that compliance with the FOI Act is a legal obligation that promotes good governance, builds public trust, and improves service delivery. He reaffirmed the IIC's commitment to providing continuous technical support to public institutions and noted that similar engagements have been conducted across several government entities.

The Independent Information Commission has called on all public institutions to prioritize FOI compliance as a cornerstone of transparency, accountability, and citizen-centered governance.

Read the original article on New Dawn.