Minister Chernor Bah Vows to Finalize Key Legislation Within President Bio’s Timeline

 

Minister Chernor Bah Vows to Finalize Key Legislation Within President Bio’s Timeline

Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, has reaffirmed his ministry's commitment to finalizing critical legislation within the timeline set by President Julius Maada Bio. Speaking at a Technical Working Group meeting on Thursday, the minister emphasized the government’s determination to complete the process efficiently by building on previous efforts.

“This has been in the works for years. We are building on work other ministries have done for years,” Minister Bah stated. He further highlighted that President Bio has instructed that the legislation be finalized within the first half of the year, ideally by the end of the first quarter.

The minister assured stakeholders that they are not starting from scratch, as a draft and framework are already in place. “We have a draft, we have a way forward, we have the experts who are in this room, representing a diverse set of stakeholders,” he said.

Technical Working Group Sets Clear Timelines

The Technical Working Group, consisting of representatives from key government ministries, agencies, civil society, and the media, has agreed on crucial timelines to meet the three-month target for passing the bill. Minister Bah explained that the group would provide technical guidance and support to the consultant leading the bill's finalization.

“The technical working group will provide the technical blueprint and support the consultant that will now lead us home [towards the finalization of the bill],” Minister Bah noted. He also emphasized that the aim is to avoid creating new agencies for implementation. Instead, the government plans to empower existing institutions, such as the Right to Access Information Commission, in alignment with international best practices.

Civil Society Supports the Initiative

Abdul Fatorma, a civil society activist and member of the Technical Working Group, expressed his organization’s willingness to collaborate with the government. Fatorma, who leads the Campaign for Human Rights and Development International, highlighted their extensive experience with this legislation and their existing rapport with the legislature.

“We have been working on this law and the cybersecurity law for years. We have a good relationship with the legislature and had already started to gain their support. We are happy to work with the government on this,” Fatorma said.

A Collaborative Effort

Minister Bah extended his gratitude to the various partners supporting the initiative, including Irish Aid, UNDP, the European Union, and local institutions such as the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

This collaborative effort, anchored by clear deadlines and expert input, signals a renewed push to advance key legislation that has been in development for years. With the backing of stakeholders and international partners, the Ministry is poised to meet the ambitious timeline set by President Bio.