By: Problyn J. Alpha | KONO
ActionAid Sierra Leone has held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Kono District to review the impact of its programmes, strengthen accountability and make strategic decisions on future interventions.
The meeting provided an opportunity for members to assess programmes implemented by ActionAid Sierra Leone and its local partners in beneficiary communities, while engaging directly with the people affected by the organisation’s interventions.
Speaking to this medium, ActionAid Sierra Leone Board Chairperson, Pamela Augunade, said the AGM enabled members to gain first-hand knowledge of the impact of the organisation’s programmes by interacting directly with rights-holder communities.
According to Augunade, the engagement allowed AGM members to compare beneficiaries’ experiences with reports submitted by ActionAid staff, providing a clearer understanding of the progress made and the challenges facing communities.
She disclosed that discussions in Bandafayie community revealed that some children aged between 15 and 17 were familiar with local mining terminology and practices because they accompanied their parents to mining sites in search of a livelihood.
However, Augunade noted that children who had benefited from ActionAid’s educational support were sharing testimonies about how the interventions had positively affected their lives. She said their experiences were consistent with reports from staff on the impact of the organisation’s programmes.
To sustain the gains made through its interventions, Augunade revealed that ActionAid Sierra Leone had developed a four-year plan that was currently under review. She said the plan was intended to ensure that available funding was managed effectively and directed towards priority needs.
She added that concerns raised during engagements with rights-holder communities would be considered and discussed further, with efforts being expedited to address some of the issues identified.
Augunade assured community members that ActionAid Sierra Leone would continue discussions on possible support and sustainability plans, noting that beneficiaries had reported positive changes resulting from the organisation’s interventions.
Meanwhile, ActionAid Sierra Leone Executive Director, Foday Bassie Swaray, explained that the organisation’s constitution requires the AGM to be held annually, as it is the organisation’s highest decision-making body.
Swaray said the meeting provided a platform to review and approve the annual report, assess interventions implemented over the previous 12 months, make strategic decisions and establish priorities for the year ahead.
He further explained that the AGM forms part of Action Aid’s accountability mechanisms by allowing Assembly members to interact directly with rights-holder communities and hear about their experiences and challenges rather than relying solely on organizational reports.
According to Swaray, feedback from community members helps inform decisions by the Board and Assembly, particularly those relating to future programmes, plans and budgets.