By: Amadu Wurie Timbo
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has on Tuesday 19th October 2021 ended a day-long Regional Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Data Protection Policy and Bill.
The Engagement was held at the Wusum Hotel Hall located at Dr. Ernest Bai Koroma Road in Makeni with Key Representatives from the National Electoral Commission (NEC), Statistics SL, National Revenue Authority (NRA), Right to Access Information Comissiom, Office of Natrional Security (ONS), National Social Security Insurance Trust (NASSIT) and other major institutions dealing with Citizens personal Details across the North-East Region.
Mr. Abraham Turay the Deputy Director of Administration at the National Civil Registration Authority was the Chairman of the event who in his opening remarks informed attendees on the importance of Protecting Citizens’ Data which has to do with their privacy, Security and well-being.
He further told participants that, inasmuch as the policy focus in preventing Individuals’ data from fraudulent actions, Duty Bearers whose activities are related to processing and storing records of Citizens are c considered and involved to suggest and discuss Laws and Regulations of the proposed Data Protection Policy and Bill’ which safeguards necessary information of Data Subjects in the Country.
Speaking on behalf of North-East Region Paramount Chiefs, PC Bai Bairoh Mabolleh Anshenni III of Marah Chiefdom in Bombali District expressed his utmost gratitude to NCRA and Partners for saving them rights as Custodians of the Land to partake in such a delicate National issue.
He continued “I encourage and urge all participants to critically crack brains as you are opportune to make decision on behalf of the Millions of people in the country. Whatever decision is made here, Paramount Chiefs of this Country will fully embrace and throw positive supports to it.”
In his presentation, Paul Okirig the International Consultant at the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP) disclosed that personal Data Protection is not about restriction of individuals Data from use but it is about the proper use of Citizens’ Data. “this is very important for institutions that collect, handle and store Personal data of People in the Country. If only achieved, Sierra Leone will be amongst the few other Africa Countries to enact such a great Bill.”
After consultants amazingly done with absurd presentation, breakout sessions commenced, wherein laws and regulations ranging from Data Subjects, Data Processors and Regularity Entities were discussed and unanimously agreed to be Guiding principles of the Proposed data protection policy Bill.
Speaking to this Medium, Martha Lawalli the Deputy Director of Legal Affairs at the National Civil Registration Authority revealed that, the event marked as the beginning of the Proposed Data Protection Policy and Bill which is projected to become an Act of parliament with the pivot role of ensuring the privacy and safety of Citizens Data.
She reiterated that, similar engagements were earlier held at National level in Freetown and later moved down to Regional levels, “we are developing a law that will protect Citizens’ personal details not just for NCRA but for all other institutions that store Citizens’ Data inasmuch as it is detrimental when those data fall in the hands of wrong people.”
According to her, all engagements returned fruitful outcome as participants immensely contributed in drafting the Bill. However, she finally assured this Medium that all inputs will be taken to the NCRA law officer for drafting of the document with the final step of taking it back to those stakeholders for Validation.
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