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High-level officials from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and leaders of international NGOs gathered at the Ministry’s Conference Hall in Tower Hill to discuss ways to deepen partnerships and improve coordination in delivering essential services across the country.
In her opening remarks, Minister Kenyek Barlay underscored the government’s commitment to fostering accountable and effective development partnerships. She praised the vital contributions of INGOs and NGOs, noting that their efforts have helped Sierra Leone surpass many development targets in sectors like agriculture, fisheries, health, and education.
The Minister highlighted recent successes, including a 97% achievement in land cultivation under the Feed Salone initiative, and early export certification to China for fisheries. She acknowledged progress in health indicators such as maternal and infant mortality rates and improvements in life expectancy. However, she also pointed out ongoing challenges, particularly in gathering comprehensive data on nutrition, and emphasized the need for NGOs to share survey findings to help build a clearer national picture.
While celebrating these achievements, she urged stronger collaboration among government, NGOs, and local authorities at all levels—national, district, and chiefdom—to ensure resources are well-targeted and efforts are not duplicated. “Our collective goal is to translate these efforts into real, tangible improvements in people’s lives,” she stated. She also encouraged NGO leaders to develop practical solutions to enhance impact, especially ahead of their discussions with Vice President.
Development Secretary Ambrose James lauded the role of District Development Coordination Committees (DDCCs), describing them as the “last mile” for service delivery at the community level. He announced plans to pilot similar structures at the chiefdom level and outlined the importance of diversifying funding sources amid declining international aid, citing recent NGO closures as a wake-up call.
He emphasized that government is committed to supporting NGOs through better coordination, adherence to procedures, and innovative approaches to sustain development efforts.
Mr. James also acknowledged the efforts of his team and SLANGO, the NGO network, in maintaining strong partnerships. He cautioned NGOs to follow established procedures, including timely signing of agreements, to uphold accountability and trust.
Mr. Eric Massally, Director of NGO Affairs at MoPED, facilitated the discussion, emphasizing the themes of coordination and service delivery. Several NGO representatives, including leaders from GOAL Sierra Leone, ChildFund, CARE Sierra Leone, Christian Aid, Save the Children, One Girl, and Concern Worldwide, reaffirmed their commitment to working closely with the government. They stressed the importance of robust data systems, especially given frequent leadership changes within organizations, to ensure continuity and effectiveness.
The participants agreed to deepen coordination efforts, strengthen partnerships, and work collaboratively to meet Sierra Leone’s development goals. Both government and NGOs committed to ongoing dialogue and joint problem-solving to address challenges at the district and community levels.
