By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in partnership with national non-governmental organizations (NGOs), has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening collaboration, improving coordination, and enhancing accountability and service delivery across Sierra Leone’s development landscape.
The signing ceremony, held in Freetown, brought together senior government officials, local authorities, and representatives from civil society and the NGO community. The event reaffirmed a shared commitment to ensuring that development initiatives remain people-centered, transparent, and results-driven.
Deputy Development Secretary Usman Cherry Conteh opened the ceremony by acknowledging the crucial role NGOs continue to play in extending development to the “last mile” and complementing government efforts in service delivery. He highlighted five guiding principles underpinning the partnership collaboration, transparency, partnership, fairness, and service delivery which he described as essential to achieving shared development goals such as poverty reduction, improved education, enhanced healthcare, and climate resilience.
Mr. Conteh further called for greater unity among NGOs, urging them to work under a single umbrella body that fosters coordination and advocacy between government and civil society. He commended SLANGO for its longstanding contributions and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to maintaining open communication and mutual accountability.
Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council, Kweku Melvin Lisk Esq., welcomed the partnership, describing the MoU as “a renewed pledge to work collectively for the benefit of all Sierra Leoneans.” He underscored the role of NGOs as a vital bridge between government policy and the people, ensuring that development efforts are grounded in local realities.
“This collaboration reminds us that sustainable development cannot happen in isolation,” he stated. “Both government and civil society must continue to work hand-in-hand, guided by transparency and mutual respect.”
Mr. Lisk also pledged the City Council’s commitment to aligning local development priorities with national goals, ensuring that every plan and project contributes to a greener, cleaner, and more equitable city.
Honourable Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, delivered the keynote address, describing the signing as “a decisive step toward institutionalizing collaboration and improving development efficiency.” She noted that the framework was developed through extensive consultations with NGO representatives and reflects a mutual understanding of the need to streamline coordination, eliminate duplication, and improve reporting consistency.
“This agreement is not merely ceremonial it is a shared accountability framework,” Minister Barlay stressed. “It ensures that every partner plays their part in planning, implementation, and monitoring, so that our collective efforts translate into real progress for our people.”
She explained that the MoU mandates structured coordination at both national and district levels, with mechanisms for regular feedback, shared data systems, and clear communication lines between government, SLANGO, and development partners.
“Going forward, coordination meetings will be documented, minutes submitted to MoPED within one week, and follow-ups clearly tracked,” she added. “This is not bureaucracy it is efficiency for development.”
The Minister further affirmed the government’s continued commitment to supporting NGOs through an enabling regulatory environment, while emphasizing that “partnerships must be grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose.”
“Government remains a coordinating authority, not a barrier,” she noted. “Our goal is simple to ensure that every development effort counts, every report informs planning, and every project leaves a lasting impact in our communities.”
Ibrahim Kamara, Chairman of the National NGO Steering Committee and Executive Director of Direct Response, hailed the MoU as “a milestone in collective effort” to foster sustainable growth and improve livelihoods. He highlighted the shared responsibility of government and NGOs to drive innovation and ensure inclusive, community-centered development.
Christian Kamara, SLANGO Board Chairman and Country Director of YMCA-SL, commended MoPED’s leadership and recalled similar MoUs signed in Bo and Kono as part of ongoing efforts to standardize NGO coordination. He urged all organizations to demonstrate passion, transparency, and accountability in their work, stressing that “coordination and reporting are not formalities they are instruments for impact.”
Mr. Kamara encouraged all NGOs to complete their upcoming registrations early and maintain open communication with MoPED. “We are all working toward the same national objectives,” he stated. “The data and progress we share strengthen Sierra Leone’s development story.”
Director of Rural Development, Madam Mbalu A. Kamara, called on local NGOs and councils to remain committed to coordination and reporting at the district level, ensuring effective follow-up on projects and strong representation in meetings.
Meanwhile, Mr. Eric Massallay, Director of the NGO Affairs Directorate at MoPED, outlined the operational elements of the MoU, which include structured meetings, senior-level representation, an NGO tracker system, and feedback mechanisms at both district and national levels. He commended the dedication of both government and NGO partners in reaching what he termed a “historic milestone.”
The MoU, officially signed by Honourable Minister Kenyeh Barlay, representatives of the NGO community, and witnessed by the Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council and SLANGO’s Board Chairman, establishes a framework for bi-monthly coordination, harmonised reporting, accountability mechanisms, and joint monitoring aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.