The Deputy Minister of Information and Communication Solomon Jarmiru emphasized the government’s commitment to preserving data rights during a town hall discussion on data rights and protection at the Radisson Blu hotel in Aberdeen.
“…On May 21, 2018, President Julius Maada Bio met with the SLAJ Executive, confirming his manifesto vow to legalize free expression.” And, on October 28, 2020, [presidential] consent to the modified 1965 Public Order Act signaled the end of the 55-year-old Damocles’ sword. “The government is equally devoted to our engagement in cyberspace as it is for the protection of personal data rights,” the deputy minister assured.
“Sierra Leone’s interest in increased digital governance was actually triggered by the 2014 Malabo Convention on Cybersecurity and Personal Data Protection (which called for a homogeneous data protection framework for Africa) and shortly thereafter, the 2016 General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union,” Jarmiru noted.
Sierra Leone also watched African countries such as Kenya, Nigeria, Togo, and Uganda establish Data Protection regulations in 2019, followed by Rwanda and Egypt in 2020, and South Africa enacting the Protection of Personal Information Act in 2020.
According to the Deputy Minister, after the Cabinet’s approval for the writing and passage of a Data Protection law, the Ministry is now working with NCRA to conduct broad consultation and validation of the draught.
He stated that the law will have all of the markings of a personal data protection instrument, as well as be very linked with civil rights. Noting that it would ensure lawful, fair, and transparent data processing; data accuracy and collection for clearly defined and legitimate objectives; data storage for no longer than required; and the security, integrity, and confidentiality of our personal data.
Chozen Generation Sierra Leone hosted the event, which was made possible by our UK partner, Small Media. This debate intends to continue our digital rights advocacy activities in Sierra Leone in support of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR). This initiative brought together relevant stakeholders in the domain, including members of parliament, government officials, private sector, and civil society actors, to engage in an interactive discussion about the implications of the country’s lack of a data protection law and make recommendations on how the country should proceed with passing a law that protects citizens’ right to data privacy.
