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The Director of NGO Affairs at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Eric Massally has presented the Directorate’s 2021 annual report to the Interim Board of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-governmental Organisations (SLANGO) in a meeting held at the CRS Conference Hall in Freetown.
The presentation of the report, among other things is to promote accountability, openness, and transparency as well as serving as an example for other NGOs to emulate.
In his statement, Director Massally acknowledged the role of the recently appointed SLANGO board in ensuring the relationship between government and NGOs remains strengthened, providing policy guidelines and making sure NGO programs are aligned with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2019-2023) as well as supporting, coordinating and representing NGOs in the country effectively.
Presenting the report in brief, the Director noted that some of the activities and achievements included: registering of NGOs both national and international, signing of Service Level Agreements for new projects, monthly coordination meetings with sector focal persons, bi-monthly coordination meetings with line ministries, NGOs representation in District Development Coordination Committees as well as registered NGOs published in the Sierra Leone Gazette.
Mr. Massally also noted the critical challenges which includes: funding for coordination, frequent transfer of trained sector NGO desk officers, newly registered NGOs not quite au fait with SLA processes causing delay in the review and the NGO reports not forth coming among others.
He appreciated the work of the SLANGO Board in their effort of actualising their mandate, adding that the Board should also share the report with NGOs which demonstrates their collaboration in the development process.
In her response, the Vice-Chair of the SLANGO Board, Miata Jambawai KaiSamba commended MoPED for meeting their targets, adding that she was looking forward to strengthening the continued collaboration with the Ministry.
Other speakers who commented on the report include, the Country Director of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Paul Emes, World Vision Country Director, Sagane Thiaw. They all stated their appreciation to the Ministry for effectively coordinating NGO activities more closely through the NGO Affairs Directorate.
