africa open data - sierra leone 2017
TRANSCRIPT
PRESENTED BY YEAMA THOMPSON
INFORMATION COMMISSIONER- SOUTHERN SIERRA LEONERIGHT TO ACCESS INFORMATION COMMISSION
The 2016 Open Data Festival
REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
Background Sierra Leone has made some significant strides towards establishing the structural and legal foundations for a comprehensive Open Data Initiative. In 2008, Sierra Leone established the Open Government Initiative (OGI), followed by the adoption of the Right to Access Information Act in 2013 and signing up for the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in 2014. In September 2014, 5 Commissioners were appointed and a Commission was set up.As a member of the Open Government Partnership and participants in the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data and the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition and more importantly a signatory to the International Open Data Charter, Sierra Leone has signaled its commitment to improve data quality and accessibility
For Sierra Leone, an Open Data initiative means more than launching a portal for publishing data in one place. A robust complete open data initiative involves:
Addressing both the supply and use and reuse of open data, Addressing the political-economy challenges An open data ecosystemDeveloping the relevant skills Securing sufficient financing for open data activities Targeting innovation linked to open data. The Legal Framework
The Open Data Council
To effectively roll out an Open Data Initiative, Sierra Leone has set up a multi-stakeholder Open Data Council steered by the Right to Access Information Commission.
The Council reviews policies and government commitments to openness in Sierra Leone, whilst also measuring progress and using the multi-stakeholder advantage in advocacy and recommendations for change in terms of access to information and data.
Yeama Thompson
Commissioner – Southern Sierra leone
Right to Access Information Commission Sierra Leone
Tel: +232 79107752
The general aim of the Open Data Festival was to raise the awareness of Open Data and its importance to economic development through a multi stakeholder process.
KEY STRATEGIC OBJECTIVESierra Leone’s Open Data Council in an open and participatory process, drive and strengthen innovative reforms in data transparency.
10 Months On: Some successes 1. Creation of the Sierra Leone Researchers Network
2. Code4Salone
3. Datapact
4. Innovation
5. Data Revolution road map for the SDG’s
6. Social Media Meetup
7. Signing up for GODAN, GPSDD
8. Signing the International Open Data Charter
9. Public Education