By Hassan Osman Kargbo
The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) and national non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening coordination, accountability, and service delivery across Sierra Leone’s development sector.
The ceremony, held in Freetown, brought together senior government officials, local authorities, and civil society representatives to reaffirm their shared commitment to building a transparent and people-centered development process.
Speaking on behalf of the NGO community, the Country Director of YMCA-Sierra Leone and Chairman of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) Board, Mr. Christian Martyn Kamara, described the MoU as “a milestone in Sierra Leone’s collective development journey.” He commended MoPED’s leadership for its sustained collaboration with the NGO sector and its effort to institutionalise accountability through structured engagement.
Mr. Martyn Kamara recalled that similar MoUs had previously been signed in Bo and Kono Districts as part of a wider strategy to harmonise NGO coordination and ensure consistent alignment with national priorities. He emphasised that this latest agreement represents not just another document, but a framework that redefines how government and civil society work together to achieve shared goals.
“This MoU is not just about coordination—it is about commitment,” he stated. “It compels every NGO to go beyond activity reports and truly measure impact. Coordination and reporting are not formalities; they are instruments for change.”
He urged all NGOs operating in Sierra Leone to demonstrate passion, transparency, and accountability in their work, stressing that genuine impact can only be achieved when organisations are guided by integrity and a shared sense of purpose.
“Each report we submit, each meeting we attend, and each project we deliver contributes to Sierra Leone’s development story,” he said. “Our responsibility is to ensure that this story is one of progress, innovation, and inclusivity.”
Mr. Kamara further encouraged NGOs to complete their upcoming registrations early and maintain open communication with MoPED, noting that improved data sharing and collaboration will enhance national planning and development outcomes.
“We are not competitors; we are partners working towards the same national objectives,” he added. “The strength of our collaboration lies in our ability to share information, coordinate actions, and hold each other accountable.”
He also reaffirmed SLANGO’s commitment to supporting both government and civil society partners in achieving the country’s development goals through effective coordination, standardised reporting, and regular dialogue.
In her keynote address, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, applauded the NGO community for its contribution to national development and described the MoU as a decisive step toward institutionalising collaboration and efficiency. She explained that the framework establishes mechanisms for bi-monthly coordination, harmonised reporting, and joint monitoring to ensure every initiative contributes meaningfully to the national development agenda.
The MoU was signed by Minister Kenyeh Barlay, representatives of the NGO community, and witnessed by the Deputy Mayor of Freetown City Council and SLANGO’s Board Chairman. It marks a new chapter in government–civil society partnership, anchored on trust, shared accountability, and the collective drive to improve lives across Sierra Leone.
