The Parliament of Sierra Leone has started the legislative process for two proposed laws aimed at strengthening citizens' information rights and modernising government records management. Information Minister Chernor Bah introduced the Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill, 2026, and the National Records and Archives Bill, 2026, to Parliament on November 5. The bills completed their introduction and First Reading, marking the beginning of parliamentary consideration.
The Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for safeguarding citizens' privacy and personal information while supporting their right to obtain information held by public institutions. This bill addresses the need for protecting individuals' personal data and ensuring access to public information. The proposed legislation is a significant step towards strengthening the legal and institutional arrangements governing personal information in Sierra Leone.
The National Records and Archives Bill is intended to strengthen the management, preservation, and organisation of government documents and historical records. This bill aims to establish stronger arrangements for preserving and managing national records, ensuring that government documents and historical records are properly managed and preserved for future generations.
The introduction of these bills marks the beginning of parliamentary consideration, rather than their approval as law. Under Parliament's Standing Orders, the next major stage is the Second Reading, when lawmakers debate a bill's general principles and merits. This stage is crucial in determining the fate of the proposed legislation.
Following the Second Reading, a bill proceeds to committee examination, where its provisions can receive detailed scrutiny and proposed amendments. The legislation must subsequently return to Parliament for its Third Reading and passage before it can proceed to presidential assent and publication as an Act. This process ensures that the proposed laws are thoroughly examined and refined before they become law.
The proposed reforms come as Sierra Leone seeks to strengthen the legal and institutional arrangements governing personal information, public access to government records, and the preservation of official documents. These reforms are essential in ensuring that citizens' rights are protected and that government records are properly managed.
Both bills must complete the required legislative stages before their provisions can take legal effect. The passage of these bills will have a significant impact on the management of personal information and government records in Sierra Leone, ensuring that citizens' rights are protected and that government documents are properly preserved.
Key points
- The proposed laws aim to strengthen citizens' information rights and modernise government records management in Sierra Leone.
- The Data Protection and Right to Access Information Bill seeks to provide a legal framework for safeguarding citizens' privacy and personal information.
- The National Records and Archives Bill aims to strengthen the management, preservation, and organisation of government documents and historical records.
