IIC Releases Visionary Roadmap -Launches 5-Year Plan

By H Matthew

MONROVIA – The Independent Information Commission (IIC) has officially on Tuesday, December 16, 2025 launched its Five-Year Strategic Plan (2025-2030) aim at strengthening compliance of the Freedom of Information (FOI) law in Liberia.

According to authorities, the landmark event marks a defining moment of Liberia continued journey toward transparency, accountability, open governance, and full realization of the right to access information as guaranteed under the FOI Act of 2010.

In her presentation of the Five-Year Strategic Plan, the Independent Information Commission (IIC) Executive Director Madam Lorpu Page said, “Despite important progress over the past decade, the implementation of the FOI Act has faced persistent challenges, including uneven institutional compliance, limited public awareness, weak records management systems, capacity constraints, and resource limitations.

Stating, “This Strategic Plan responds directly to these challenges, provides a clear, realistic, and results-oriented roadmap for strengthening the Commission’s institutional capacity while accelerating nationwide implementation of the FOI Act.

On the IIC strategic vision and overall goal, Executive Director Page noted by saying, “The overarching goal of the 2025–2030 Strategic Plan is to strengthen transparency, accountability, and citizen participation by ensuring effective enforcement of the FOI Act across Liberia. The Plan envisions an Independent Information Commission that is modern,   “

According to her, the Plan envisions an Independent Information Commission that is modern, independent, professional, digitally enabled, and operationally effective, with the capacity to deliver measurable results at national and sub-national levels.

“The Plan seeks to improve compliance with FOI obligations by public institutions, increase public awareness and use of access-to-information rights, strengthen institutional systems, staffing, and governance structures,” she said.

Adding, “To integrate digital solutions into FOI administration and monitoring; an Secure sustainable financing and strategic partnerships.

Strategic pillars and key focus areas, Madam Page said the Strategic Plan is built around six interlinked pillars, each supported by clear objectives, activities, and performance indicators

“On Compliance and Enforcement, this pillar focuses on strengthening the Commission’s regulatory and oversight role with Key interventions include enhancing complaint handling and adjudication processes, strengthening investigations and compliance monitoring, issuing enforcement directives, and applying sanctions where necessary in accordance with the law.

She said, “Under Policy, Research, and Legal Reform, the Commission will strengthen its research and policy analysis capacity to inform evidence-based reforms.

Statin, “This includes producing annual FOI performance reports, policy briefs, and research studies; reviewing implementation gaps in the FOI Act, and supporting legal and policy reforms that strengthen access to information and align with emerging data governance and digital rights frameworks.

On Partnerships and Financial Sustainability, it focuses on strengthening collaboration with government institutions, civil society, the private sector, and development partners.

Adding, “It also emphasizes diversified and predictable financing through government budgetary allocations, donor support, strategic partnerships, and legally sanctioned non-compliance penalties, to ensure long-term institutional sustainability.

The Independent Information Commission Executive Director Page said, Under Public Awareness, Training, and Outreach, the IIC will carry on nationwide public education and institutional capacity building.

She added that the Commission will expand outreach campaigns at national and county levels, engage the media and civil society as key multipliers, and deliver structured training programs for public officials, journalists, CSOs, and community leaders.

Under Implementation and Financing, the IIC Executive furthered that the Strategic Plan will be operationalized through annual work plans, clear institutional roles and responsibilities, and results-based management systems.

“A high-level budget of approximately USD 5 million has been projected for the five-year period. Financing will be mobilized through a combination of government budgetary support, development partner contributions, strategic partnerships, and revenues from non-compliance penalties as provided for under the FOI Act,” she disclosed.

“By 2030, successful implementation of the Strategic Plan will deliver, a strong, independent, and well-resourced FOI oversight institution, Improved FOI compliance and proactive disclosure across public institutions, increased public awareness and utilization of access-to-information rights, among others, she concluded..

For his part,  the IIC Commissioner Joash T Hodges reported by saying,  “In line with Pillar One of the Strategic Plan, the IIC conducted targeted FOI compliance and awareness training for Ministries, Agencies, and Commissions (MACs).

According him, in 2025, more than 700 senior managers, departmental heads, and technical staff participated in structured training aimed at clarifying statutory obligations under the FOI Act.

He noted that the IIC have held several outreach and sensitization activities in Bong, Bassa, Nimba and Montserrado Counties to educate the Public on their rights under the FOI law as well as, the use of the Law as a conduit to promote transparency and public accountability.

Stating, “These public awareness engagements targeted several stakeholders including local communities’ leaders, disabled, religious and traditional leaders, youth and student groupings, marketing associations, motor and tricycles unions.

Under Policy, Research and legal Reform, Commissioner Hodges said, “As a first step to strengthening the IIC, we have been working with the Governance Commission to conduct a comprehensive capacity assessment and restructuring of the Commission’s organogram in alignment with its statutory functions to enhance efficiency and operational effectiveness.

“On legal reform, the IIC have conducted stakeholder engagement on reforming and amendment of the FOI law of 2010,” he noted.

Stating, “It has been 15 years since the FOI law was enacted and with time, implementation has experienced hiccups therefore reform of the law has become necessary to amend delaying provision of the law that hinders timely access to public information.

He furthered by saying, “Under institutional strengthening, we have been working on expanding, refurbishing and equipping the IIC offices, with funding from the MFDP through the National Budget.

Adding, “The IIC has carried out 75% of renovation works at its offices and has procured basic office necessities (Computers and accessories, workstations, furniture, internet access, etc.) to facilitate the smooth administrative operations of the Commission.

He said, “We currently have 50% of our staff benefiting from different professional trainings to strengthen their capacities for effective delivery on the job.   

Representing the Cabinet Secretariat at the launch, Nicole Beatrice Weeks Karijgens, on behalf of Hon. Nathaniel T. Kwabo, conveyed the Cabinet’s full support for the IIC’s bold step in designing a roadmap toward 2030. She emphasized that the event went beyond a ceremonial launch, describing it as a declaration of commitment to rebuilding public trust and strengthening accountability in Liberia. She commended the IIC for aligning its Strategic Plan with Liberia’s national development priorities, noting that inclusive development is unattainable without guaranteed access to information. Nicole underscored that the successful implementation of the Strategic Plan requires collective ownership and collaboration among all stakeholders, stressing that the Plan will serve as a guiding framework for promoting transparency and accountability nationwide.

Remarks were also delivered by Cllr. Massa Jallabah, Deputy Minister for Administration and Public Safety at the Ministry of Justice, representing Hon. Cllr. Oswald Tweh. She pledged the Ministry of Justice’s full support toward the realization of the Strategic Plan. She highlighted the importance of building a culture where openness is the norm, citizens are informed and actively engaged, and justice is reinforced through transparency. The Ministry congratulated the IIC on this achievement and reaffirmed its readiness to work closely with the Commission to translate the Plan into tangible results.

The Governance Commission, represented by a Policy Analyst on behalf of Prof. Alaric Togba, recognized the Strategic Plan as a critical tool for institutional effectiveness. The Commission congratulated the IIC for launching a plan aligned with the national reform agenda and shared reflections from its own recent strategic planning process. The representative emphasized the need to depoliticize public institutions and maintain a strong focus on institutional mandates and implementation. The Governance Commission reaffirmed its ongoing technical support to the IIC, particularly in institutional reforms, and committed to sustaining its partnership throughout the life of the Strategic Plan.

The Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs and Tourism was represented by Jonathan Williams on behalf of Hon. Jerolinmek M. Piah. The Ministry applauded the IIC for the successful launch of its Strategic Plan and reaffirmed its institutional support. The Ministry encouraged all partners and stakeholders to collaborate actively with the IIC during implementation, recognizing the Commission’s central role in strengthening public information access.

Also speaking, the National Coordinator of Internews, Mr. Samuka V. Konneh, reflected on nearly a decade of collaboration with the IIC, including support for public awareness initiatives and the establishment of regional hubs.

He noted that delays in information disclosure remain a concern but expressed confidence that proposed legal reforms would address these gaps.

Mr. Konneh encouraged the IIC to pursue achievable actions while mobilizing resources and highlighted the impending Personal Data Protection Act, recommending that the IIC prepare strategically for its anticipated additional mandate.

He commended the IIC’s leadership and described the Strategic Plan as clear and responsive to key challenges, particularly in strengthening the legal framework for access to information.

In remarks, CEMESP, Executive Director, Malcolm Joseph, congratulated the IIC on the launch and described the Strategic Plan as a renewed commitment to transparency and accountability.

He emphasized the centrality of citizens’ right to know and acknowledged CEMESP’s longstanding technical support to the IIC in implementing the Freedom of Information Law.

He recognized the contributions of the European Union and the Government of the United States in strengthening democratic governance and noted that the Strategic Plan reflects current realities. CEMESP expressed confidence that the Plan will strengthen institutional capacity, improve stakeholder engagement, and enhance the overall FOI ecosystem.

The Liberia National Bar Association, through its President, Hon. Cllr. Bornor M Varmah congratulated the IIC and acknowledged the progress made under the current administration. Stating, “The IIC has transitioned from institutional stagnation to visible reform and action.

“The Bar Association and the Law Reform Commission committed to supporting legal reforms envisioned in the Strategic Plan and to collaborating with the IIC to ensure its ambitious objectives are achieved,” Cllr Varmah said.