The President of the Republic, Mr. Wavel Ramkalawan presented the new Chief Information Commissioner, Ms. Mumtaz Hasan with her Instrument of Appointment. This was held in a short ceremony at State House yesterday.

The Chief Information Commissioner has been appointed from candidates proposed by the Constitutional Appointments Authority (CAA) and in consultation with the Speaker of the National Assembly as prescribed under Section 37 (1) of the Access to Information Act.

“It is indeed an honour for me to present the Instrument of Appointment to Ms. Hasan. On behalf of Seychelles, I would like to congratulate you on your appointment and wish you the very best. I have no doubt that the work already started will continue to set new standards as we forge ahead,” said the President.

President Ramkalawan urged the media to work in partnership with the Commission in regards to Access to Information, which will in return help them in their daily tasks to give accurate and credible information. He also advises members of the public to consult with the Commission whenever they are getting difficulties accessing information.

Ms. Hasan has a Masters in Development Management and Practice from the Development Institute University, Bangladesh in collaboration with the University of Columbia, Earth Institute Programme of Jeffrey Sachs, USA.

She is a dynamic professional with diverse life experience in multi-cultural corporate and civil society agencies in leadership, advisory, technical and operational roles. She has exposure to Western, Asian, and Small Island Developing States settings, perceptive of the collective commonalities linking local to global development issues.

Speaking to the local media, Ms. Hasan said that it is a privilege and honour for her to be entrusted in this position and that she is looking forward to supporting the mandate of the Information Commission and the community with accountability, transparency, and good governance.   

Also present for the ceremony yesterday morning was the First Lady, Mrs. Linda Ramkalawan, Vice-President Ahmed Afif, members of the commission, Chief Executive Officer of the Seychelles Information Commission, Ms Thereza Dogley, Members of Constitutional Appointments Authority and the daughter of Ms. Hasan.