Liberia: IIC Survey in Grand Gedeh Reveals 87.6% of Respondents Unaware of Freedom of Information Law

ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh County — Sixteen years after Liberia enacted the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act of 2010, a new survey conducted by the Independent Information Commission (IIC) has revealed significant gaps in public awareness of the law in Grand Gedeh County, with 87. 6% of 1,875 respondents reporting that they had never heard of the legislation. The findings emerged from a Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP) Survey conducted by the Commission’s Outreach Department as part of a broader initiative implemented from October 14–17, 2026, aimed at strengthening public awareness, promoting transparency, and bringing access to information services closer to residents of southeastern Liberia. The initiative combined the training of 25 locally recruited Data Collectors, a one-hour radio awareness programme on TOP FM, and a two-day community-based survey conducted on October 16–17.

According to the Commission’s final activity report, each of the 25 Data Collectors reported reaching 75 respondents, bringing the total number of survey participants to 1,875. Beyond the limited awareness of the FOI Act, the survey revealed that 85. 3% of respondents did not know how to submit a Freedom of Information request, while 85. 5% did not know where such requests should be submitted. The findings also indicated that 85. 3% believed citizens were afraid to request information from public institutions, highlighting concerns about public confidence and the practical exercise of information rights. Despite these challenges, the survey revealed strong support for transparency and accountability. Approximately 95. 6% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that citizens should have access to public information, while 94. 9% believed that access to information improves government…