By: Aminata Sesay
A two-day capacity-building workshop led by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) in collaboration with UNICEF has brought together a diverse group of government and civil society stakeholders in Makeni, with one common goal: to transform how development funds are managed and monitored in Sierra Leone’s North-West Region.
The training focused on the Harmonized Approach to Cash Transfers (HACT) a system designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the use of development resources. This initiative aims to ensure that funds intended for children and vulnerable communities are properly managed and used effectively to improve lives.
Participants included District Health Management Teams, Medical Officers, finance professionals, and civil society organizations (CSOs) working with UNICEF in the region. The training provided practical tools for financial reporting, risk management, and fraud prevention, while fostering stronger alignment across UN agencies and local partners.
“Accountability is not optional it is a duty,” said Mr. Eric Massallay, Director of National NGO Affairs, in his keynote address. “These resources are meant for the children of Sierra Leone. Without building the capacities of our partners, we cannot deliver sustainable, high-quality services.”
Mr. Massallay acknowledged the challenges NGOs face in navigating complex donor frameworks but stressed that harmonization, proactive training, and standardization are crucial to long-term impact. He referenced past issues where weak reporting or poor performance led to consequences such as fund recovery demands and even NGO suspensions. “Training is the most effective safeguard,” he added. “It’s how we stop problems before they start.”
Representing the broader NGO community, Madam Alice Neneh James, Coordinator of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO), delivered a candid and powerful message. While she commended UNICEF’s consistent partnership, she highlighted hard truths about non-compliant NGOs.
“Some organizations have accepted grants they weren’t equipped to manage. Others have failed to honour their obligations or even maintain a presence in the communities they pledged to serve,” she said.
“Partnership with UNICEF demands professionalism, discipline, and integrity. When you’re trusted with implementation, it’s not just about delivering a project it’s about protecting the reputation of the entire NGO sector.”
Madam James reaffirmed SLANGO’s zero-tolerance stance on non-compliance, including suspension and blacklisting when necessary. “It is far better to walk away from resources you can’t manage than to fail the communities who depend on us,” she added.
Victoria Mwapasa, UNICEF’s HACT Specialist, emphasized that the workshop is part of a larger capacity-building agenda. Beyond technical training, the sessions aim to foster deeper understanding of key tools such as the Funding Authorization and Certificate of Expenditure (FACE) forms, draw lessons from past audits and reviews, and address sensitive topics like the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA). “This is about mutual learning and engagement,” she said. “We want to learn from our partners just as much as we want to support them.”
Though the agenda was adjusted to accommodate the holiday period, she assured participants that core topics including budgeting, risk mitigation, anti-fraud protocols, and PSEA would be thoroughly covered.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Andrew Sellu, UNICEF’s Chief of Field Office for the Southern and Eastern Regions, called for a shift in how development partnerships are viewed.
“We don’t see ourselves as the ‘big brother’ with the money,” he said. “Our partnerships must be collegial, not hierarchical. We are all working toward the same goal improving the lives of children and families in Sierra Leone.”
He also noted that similar workshops have already been successfully implemented in the South and East, reinforcing UNICEF’s commitment to deeper collaboration under the new UNICEF–Government of Sierra Leone Country Programme (2025–2030).
This training is more than just a procedural requirement it is a statement of intent. The Makeni workshop signals a firm commitment from the Government of Sierra Leone and its development partners to uphold integrity, transparency, and meaningful community impact.
When development resources are managed with care and accountability, they become powerful tools of transformation not just numbers in a report, but real outcomes healthier children, stronger schools, and safer communities across Sierra Leone.