The Government of Sierra Leone has convened a high-level coordination meeting with key non-governmental organizations aimed at strengthening collaboration and improving service delivery across the country.

The meeting, organized by the Ministry of Social Welfare and the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, was held at the ministry’s conference hall in New England Ville, Freetown.

It brought together representatives from various NGOs and government institutions to discuss ways to enhance partnerships and ensure development interventions are better aligned with national priorities.

In her welcome address, the Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, emphasized that the ministry remains at the forefront of addressing vulnerability and supporting disadvantaged groups across the country.

Related News

She noted that the ministry’s mandate is extensive and cannot be achieved without strong collaboration from development partners and civil society organizations.

According to the minister, effective coordination and shared resources are essential to avoid duplication of efforts, reduce waste, and ensure that services reach those who need them most.

She also commended the Minister of Planning and Economic Development and her team for successfully hosting the recent NGO Week and initiating the engagement aimed at restoring structured coordination within the NGO sector.

Also speaking at the meeting, the Director of NGO Affairs, Eric Massalay, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening relationships between NGOs and their respective line ministries.

He highlighted the need for sustainable coordination mechanisms at both district and national levels, including NGO coordination platforms, sector-based engagements, and District Development Coordination frameworks.

Mr. Massalay explained that while district-level coordination has recorded promising progress, there is a pressing need to reinforce collaboration at the national level. This, he said, would ensure that policies, decisions, and development priorities are effectively translated into action at the local level.

He further stressed that NGOs must align their programmes with national development priorities and work alongside government institutions rather than operate independently. Such alignment, he noted, is crucial to ensuring the efficient use of limited resources and maximizing development impact.

Delivering her address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barley, stated that the engagement forms part of the broader framework of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan and the government’s “Big Five” transformative agenda.

She emphasized that economic development ultimately aims to improve the well-being of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, making social welfare a critical pillar of national development. The minister called for stronger service-level agreements between NGOs and the ministry in order to formalize partnerships and improve accountability.

While commending the Ministry of Social Welfare for its achievements despite limited resources, Mrs. Barley encouraged all partners to deepen collaboration and pursue results-driven initiatives that align with national priorities.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment among government institutions and NGOs to strengthen partnerships, improve coordination, and accelerate inclusive service delivery for communities across Sierra Leone.