By Mahmoud Kamara – Government Information Officer
Praia, Cabo Verde – September 5, 2025
Sierra Leone has joined over 20 West African and Sahelian countries in a united front to combat the rising tide of disinformation, hate speech, and information manipulation, during a landmark Regional Conference on Information Integrity held in Praia, Cabo Verde, from September 3 to 5, 2025.
The country’s delegation, led by Emmanuel Abubakar Benoni Turay, Acting Director of Government Information Services at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education (MoICE), and the chairman and Commissioner of the Right to Access Information Commission (RAIC) Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw actively participated in the high-level dialogue, which brought together ministers, media regulators, civil society leaders, and representatives of digital platforms.
In his address at the plenary session on “Safeguarding Information Integrity During Conflict, Crisis, and Elections,” Emmanuel Abubakar Benoni Turay reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s dedication to protecting democratic values through transparent communication, responsible media practices, and access to credible public-interest information.
“Sierra Leone stands firm in its belief that access to credible information is a cornerstone of democracy and peace,” said Turay. “We are proud to contribute to regional efforts that uphold transparency, accountability, and human rights in the digital age.”
Director Turay highlighted Sierra Leone’s progress in implementing media reforms, establishing a government fact-checking unit, and aligning national strategies with the Model Policy for Information Integrity in West Africa and the Sahel, which was officially adopted during the conference.
The three-day event featured thematic sessions on media literacy, emerging technologies, regulatory innovation, and electoral information integrity — areas that are increasingly critical as the region navigates a complex digital landscape.
One of the major outcomes of the conference was the endorsement of the Praia Action Plan, a framework designed to foster regional cooperation, strengthen institutional capacity, and secure sustainable investment in information integrity initiatives. Sierra Leone played a key role in shaping and validating the action plan, demonstrating its commitment to multilateral dialogue and coordinated response mechanisms.
The Ministry of Information and Civic Education extended its appreciation to the Government of Cabo Verde, UNESCO, ECOWAS, and other partners for convening the timely and transformative conference. It also reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s continued efforts to implement the conference outcomes and support inclusive, multi-stakeholder approaches to combat the challenges of digital misinformation and hate speech.
As information ecosystems across West Africa face increasing pressure from manipulation and online harms, Sierra Leone’s active role in the conference signals its resolve to safeguard the integrity of public discourse and preserve democratic values across the region.
