Information Minister Endorses National Public Archives Bill
Minister of Information and Communications, Alhaji Alpha Kanu has expressed his willingness to support the amendment of the Public Archives Act of 1965 which the Society for Knowledge Management Sierra Leone (SKM-SL) is seeking to replace with the drafted National Public Archives Bill 2012.
The Minister registered this commitment at a stakeholders’ consultative workshop held at the British Council Hall on 20th March, 2013 organized by SKM-SL on the theme: “Taking care of the past and looking forward into the future.”
As guest speaker, the Minister commended SKM-SL for taking strides towards record management in the country. He said he had engaged UNESCO, the fund-raiser on the need for public archives to be well managed in the country. He emphatically recommended that the 1965 Public Archives Act be amended instead of SKM-SL using the word repeal which he described to be harsh before parliament. “I am the right person to take the draft bill to the House of Parliament for amendment,” said the Minister of Information and Communication.
Delivering the key-note address, the newly appointed youthful Deputy Minister of Sports, Ismail Al-Sankoh Conteh said the theme for the consultative workshop energizes him to throw light on the need for proper records management in the country. He maintained that the country stands to derive tremendous benefits if the draft bill is adopted and passed into law by the Parliament of Sierra Leone.
Professor Magnus John in his statement, centered on Agent of Change and Continuity described the theme as “timely and relevant.”
Relevant contributions were delivered by other members of the high table including Prof. Miriam Conteh-Morgan, Dr. Sheku G. Kamara, and Presidential Adviser-Strategic Policy Unit at State House.
Speaking on the few recommendations posed to SKM-SL, SKM-SL Programme Director, Umaru Bangura responded that the recommendation made by the Minster of Information and Communications for the change of word from ‘repeal’ to the amendment was splendid noting that they appreciate which ever way that can take them to their goal for the benefit of the country in the area of records management. He said they would continue to press on for the passing into law the National Public Archives Bill 2012.
By Ilyasa Baa
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