MoPED Engages NGOs on Accountability and National Development Priorities
Alusine Ahmed Kargbo The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has called for stronger cooperation between government institutions and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to improve the delivery of development programmes and ensure that vulnerable communities benefit from their interventions.
The call was made on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, during the ministry’s monthly NGO Open Information Session, organised through its NGO Affairs Directorate under the theme “Partnership – Transparency – Impact.”
The meeting brought together representatives of government ministries, NGOs and the media to discuss ongoing development activities, challenges facing organisations and areas where government support could improve their work.
Three organisations — World Hope International (WHI), World Vision International Sierra Leone and We Are Purposeful — presented their programmes and shared accounts from people benefiting from their interventions.
Chairing the session, Dr. Moi Kowa, Director of the Service Delivery and Performance Management Division at MoPED, urged NGOs to ensure their programmes support Sierra Leone’s Big Five Game Changers.
He said development organisations must direct their resources towards national priorities and ensure their activities produce measurable results.
Eric Masallay, Director of the NGO Affairs Directorate, welcomed participants and encouraged NGOs to be open about their activities. He said the monthly meeting provides an opportunity for organisations to share information, demonstrate accountability and improve working relationships with government institutions.
Presentations from the participating organisations highlighted their work in health, education, water and sanitation, child protection, disability inclusion and women’s empowerment.
Representatives of World Hope International, including Sia N. Amara, ETC Programme Director, and Elijah Kihara, WASH Director, discussed the organisation’s programmes supporting vulnerable groups and improving access to essential services.
One beneficiary, Nuriatu Rahman Fofana, who cares for two children with health conditions, spoke about the difficulties families face in accessing appropriate support. Her experience highlighted the need for rehabilitation services and therapy.
Another community beneficiary explained how access to safe water had improved children’s safety and helped them attend school more regularly.
World Vision International Sierra Leone National Director Alex Whitney also presented the organisation’s work in education, health, child protection, water and sanitation, and livelihoods.
An 11-year-old beneficiary described how school feeding, learning materials and better sanitation facilities had improved her school experience and general well-being.
Meanwhile, Josephine Kamara, Advocacy Director of We Are Purposeful, outlined the organisation’s efforts to support adolescent girls and young women, particularly those who are out of school or facing difficult circumstances.
Its programmes include safe spaces, girls’ groups, grants, leadership training and advocacy for girls’ rights.
A beneficiary from Karene District, Mariama M. Kamara, shared how the organisation’s support helped her develop into an advocate for girls’ empowerment. She has since founded HER Voice, an organisation through which she continues to support and empower girls in her community.
The presentations were followed by discussions involving representatives from the Ministries of Health, Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), and Water Resources.
Participants raised questions about programme implementation, coordination, funding and the challenges NGOs face when delivering services in remote communities.
The organisations called for stronger cooperation with government ministries, better access to underserved areas, increased development funding and policy support for programmes targeting women and girls.
They also highlighted the need for greater recognition of initiatives supporting girls who are out of school, as well as continued attention to policies affecting women’s health, including the Safe Motherhood Bill.
Edward Kahinda Sam, Assistant Director and Donor Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, encouraged NGOs to align their health programmes with national priorities. He referred to the principles of Alignment, Accompaniment, Acceleration and Accountability as a framework for improving cooperation.
Emmanuel V. Deoud, Development Partners Coordination Desk Officer at MBSSE, called for closer engagement with the education sector. He also stressed the importance of complying with Service-Level Agreements to ensure NGO programmes complement existing government initiatives.
Musa Shiaka, Performance Tracking Manager at the Ministry of Water Resources, highlighted the need for NGOs to coordinate with the ministry when implementing water-related projects.
The meeting also examined challenges affecting the long-term success of development programmes.
Participants discussed the importance of local ownership, sustainability and avoiding duplication of projects. Poor road networks and limited access to remote communities were also identified as major obstacles to effective service delivery.
The discussion further highlighted the need for NGOs to support national productivity efforts, particularly in agriculture, and ensure that available resources are released and used on time.
Closing the session, David Abu, Deputy Director of the NGO Affairs Directorate, thanked the participating organisations for sharing information about their programmes and challenges.
He encouraged NGOs to maintain transparency, accountability and regular engagement with government institutions.
The meeting provided an opportunity for government and development organisations to identify practical ways of improving coordination and ensuring that development interventions respond to the needs of communities across Sierra Leone.