Sierra Leone has joined more than 20 West African and Sahelian countries in pledging stronger action against disinformation, hate speech and information manipulation at a regional conference in Praia, Cabo Verde.
The three-day meeting, which ended on Friday, brought together government ministers, media regulators, civil society groups and representatives of digital platforms. Delegates endorsed the Praia Action Plan, a framework to improve cooperation, build institutional capacity and attract investment for information integrity initiatives across the region.
Sierra Leone’s delegation was led by Emmanuel Abubakar Benoni Turay, Acting Director of Government Information Services at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, and Dr. Ibrahim Seaga Shaw, chairman of the Right to Access Information Commission.
Speaking at a plenary session on safeguarding information during crises and elections, Turay said Sierra Leone viewed access to credible information as central to peace and democracy.
“Sierra Leone stands firm in its belief that access to credible information is a cornerstone of democracy and peace,” Turay told delegates.
He cited reforms in Sierra Leone, including the creation of a government fact-checking unit and the alignment of national media strategies with a model regional policy on information integrity adopted at the conference.
The gathering also examined challenges posed by emerging technologies, the impact of disinformation on elections, and the importance of media literacy in democratic resilience.
Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Information and Civic Education welcomed the adoption of the Praia Action Plan and praised the governments of Cabo Verde, UNESCO, ECOWAS and other partners for convening what it called a “timely and transformative” event.
Officials said Sierra Leone would support the implementation of the plan and work with partners on multi-stakeholder approaches to tackling online harms, which are seen as a growing threat to democratic stability across West Africa.
By Kallie kamara
