A survey conducted by the Independent Information Commission (IIC) in Grand Gedeh County, Liberia, has revealed a significant lack of awareness about the country's Freedom of Information (FOI) Act. The survey, which was carried out from October 14-17, 2026, found that 87.6% of 1,875 respondents had never heard of the legislation. The IIC's Outreach Department conducted the survey as part of a broader initiative to strengthen public awareness and promote transparency in southeastern Liberia.
The survey also found that 85.3% of respondents did not know how to submit a Freedom of Information request, and 85.5% did not know where such requests should be sent. Furthermore, 85.3% of respondents believed that citizens were afraid to request information from public institutions, raising concerns about public confidence and the practical exercise of information rights. These findings suggest that there is a significant gap between the existence of the FOI Act and the ability of citizens to access public information.
Despite the low awareness of the FOI Act, the survey showed strong support for transparency and accountability. About 95.6% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that citizens should have access to public information, while 94.9% believed that such access improves government accountability. Additionally, 90.2% of respondents supported sustained public awareness campaigns on the FOI Law. These findings suggest that there is a strong appetite for transparency and accountability in Grand Gedeh County.
The survey also provided guidance on how the IIC can reach more residents. Radio was the preferred channel for FOI awareness for 88.9% of respondents, while 80.4% identified community engagement as another important means of public education. The results also point to opportunities for digital outreach, with 77.6% of respondents reporting regular internet use, and 81.4% saying they would be willing to use an official FOI website to learn about their rights or request public information.
As part of the initiative, the IIC recruited and trained 25 young people from Grand Gedeh to serve as Data Collectors and FOI Ambassadors. The training, which took place on October 14, 2026, covered topics such as the FOI Act, professional interviewing techniques, research ethics, data integrity, and digital data collection. The IIC's Information Commissioner, Hon. Joash T. Hodges, stressed the importance of data integrity and professionalism, while Ministry of Justice representative Joseph Jallah appealed for a regional FOI Hub to serve southeastern Liberia.
The IIC's intervention also included a radio program on TOP FM's Morning Breakfast Programme, where Acting Outreach Director Jutomue Doetein and Acting Compliance Director Armah B. Johnson discussed the Commission's mission in Grand Gedeh and educated listeners about their rights under the Act. During the program, 10 callers expressed dissatisfaction over difficulties they said residents face when seeking information from public institutions in the county.
The IIC has proposed a regional hub to bring access-to-information services closer to residents of southeastern Liberia. The findings of the survey and the intervention suggest that there is a need for stronger engagement between the IIC, local institutions, and citizens to promote transparency and accountability. The IIC's initiative aims to address the gaps in awareness and access to public information, and to empower citizens to exercise their rights under the FOI Act.
Key points
- The survey found that 87.6% of respondents in Grand Gedeh County had never heard of the Freedom of Information Act, despite strong support for transparency and accountability.
