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Calls for greater government support to sustain non-governmental organisation (NGO) programmes dominated discussions at an Open Information Session hosted by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) on Wednesday, August 19, 2026.
The session brought together representatives from five NGOs—Helen Keller Intl, Médecins du Monde, Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, MADAM, and Restless Development—to present their ongoing interventions and discuss their contributions to national development.
During the engagement, the participating NGOs identified funding constraints as one of the major challenges threatening the sustainability and continuity of community-based programmes across the country.
Beneficiaries of the various interventions also used the platform to share testimonies and demonstrate how NGO-supported programmes have positively impacted their livelihoods.
One beneficiary showcased locally processed cassava products, including coconut-blended garri, as an example of how training in cassava processing has helped create employment and generate income.
Another beneficiary, Adama, highlighted the impact of MADAM’s skills development programme, explaining that the support enabled her to establish a shop, access microfinance and continue her university education.
Deputy Minister of Planning, Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, stressed the importance of collective commitment in achieving sustainable development outcomes.
He said engagements of this nature provide the government with deeper insight into the activities of NGOs and the impact of their interventions, while also reinforcing the importance of people-centred and transparent development programmes.
The session provided an opportunity for government, NGOs and beneficiaries to exchange information on ongoing programmes, challenges and opportunities for stronger collaboration in advancing development initiatives across Sierra Leone.
