The Independent Information Commission (IIC), in partnership with the Ministry of Information (MOI), civil society organizations, and media groups, commemorated the 16th anniversary of Liberia’s Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2010.
The program took place on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, at the Charles Gbenyon Conference Hall at the Ministry of Information in Monrovia, under the theme “Promoting Access, Strengthening Transparency and Advancing Accountability.”
The gathering brought together government officials, Public Information Officers (PIOs), members of Internal Information Request Review Bodies (IIRRBs), civil society representatives, journalists, and development partners. As part of the events, the IIC hosted a one-day capacity-building and compliance workshop for PIOs and IIRRB members from 20 public institutions to improve their ability to process information requests efficiently and transparently.
Acting Information Minister Johnny Tarkpah described the 16th anniversary as a significant milestone in Liberia’s pursuit of an open and accountable society, noting that public access to information allows citizens to understand government operations, spending, and decision-making.
IIC Executive Director Lorpu P. Page noted that the anniversary served as a opportunity to review 16 years of implementation, including achievements and persistent gaps. She cited ongoing IIC initiatives in compliance monitoring, public awareness, record management, and appeals handling. However, Page revealed that a recent IIC assessment across 103 ministries, agencies, and commissions found that only 25 institutions had appointed PIOs, leaving 78 without designated officers. She also highlighted widespread weaknesses in proactive disclosure, particularly regarding the publication of budgets, key legislation, and statutory FOI reports.
Civil society leaders emphasized the gap between legal provisions and actual practice. Center for Media Studies and Peacebuilding (CEMESP) Executive Director Malcolm W. Joseph called the FOI Act a landmark reform, stressing that access to public records is a fundamental right for all citizens, not just journalists. Center for Transparency and Accountability in Liberia (CENTAL) Executive Director Anderson Miamen observed that implementation continues to suffer from limited capacity, low public awareness, response delays, and weak enforcement.
Media representatives echoed these operational challenges. Samuka V. Konneh, Acting Head of Internews Liberia, shared data from a USAID-backed project where journalists submitted 104 FOI requests, yet fewer than five received responses after 90 days. He advocated for a clear distinction between the functions of PIOs and public relations personnel. Press Union of Liberia President Julius Kullie Kanubah added that FOI rights belong equally to farmers, students, health workers, and civil servants, urging authorities to prioritize sustainable funding, public education, and legal protection for FOI users.
Information Commissioner Joash T. Hodges anchored the FOI framework in Article 15(c) of the 1986 Constitution and the 2010 FOI Act. He revealed that the Commission has received 18 formal FOI complaints and is executing its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025–2030), which targets compliance enforcement, legal reform, public awareness, and digital transformation.
Hodges called on public institutions to appoint PIOs, establish functional review bodies, improve record-keeping, and adhere strictly to statutory response timelines. He emphasized that compliance with the FOI Act is not a burden imposed by the IIC, but an obligation owed directly to the public.
The commemoration featured technical sessions detailing the legal mechanics of the FOI Act, institutional duties, and the appeal procedures for denied or unanswered requests. The IIC technical team outlined the steps for registering, reviewing, and adjudicating disputes, reinforcing the right of requesters to appeal non-responsive actions.
Sixteen years after the FOI law was enacted on September 16, 2010, the IIC and its partner organizations reaffirmed that their primary objective remains converting the legal right to information into practical access for every Liberian.
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