The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has brought together non-governmental organisations, government institutions and development stakeholders to examine the impact of NGO interventions, funding challenges and coordination gaps affecting development programmes across Sierra Leone.
The engagement, held at the MoPED Conference Room, provided a platform for government officials, NGO representatives and programme beneficiaries to discuss how development interventions can better align with national priorities and respond to the needs of communities.
Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams said such engagements enable Government to gain a clearer understanding of the activities, interventions and impact of NGOs operating in the country. He stressed the importance of closer collaboration among Government, NGOs and beneficiaries to ensure that development programmes deliver meaningful results.
Five organizations Helen Keller Intl, Médecins du Monde, Marie Stopes Sierra Leone, Mankind’s Activities for Development Accreditation Movement (MADAM), and Restless Development—presented their programmes and interventions implemented across Sierra Leone between 2022 and 2026.
The presentations highlighted work in areas including health, livelihoods, youth development, skills training and community empowerment, while also outlining challenges encountered during programme implementation.
Chairman of Parliament’s NGO Committee, Hon. Komba Quee, commended NGOs for their contribution to national development and encouraged organisations to maintain regular engagement with Parliament. He said continued dialogue would strengthen cooperation, transparency and accountability between NGOs and public institutions.
SLANGO Director Alice Neneh James also welcomed the engagement, describing it as an important opportunity for NGOs and beneficiaries to explain their work directly to government stakeholders and strengthen coordination among development actors.
Representatives from the Ministries responsible for Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Agriculture, Health, Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Youth also provided sector perspectives. They emphasised the need for development programmes to be better coordinated and responsive to the priorities of communities, particularly young people and direct beneficiaries.
Funding was identified as one of the major challenges facing the participating organisations. The NGOs called on Government to explore additional avenues for attracting donors and mobilising resources to sustain programmes and expand their impact.
Beneficiary testimonies further demonstrated the impact of some of the interventions. Adama, a beneficiary of MADAM, explained that the organisation provided her with vocational skills, business planning support, access to microfinance and continued mentorship. She said the assistance enabled her to establish a shop while pursuing her third year of university studies at the University of Makeni.
Another MADAM beneficiary highlighted the impact of cassava-processing training, saying the skills acquired had created opportunities for employment and income generation. He displayed locally processed packaged garri, including a coconut-blended variety, as evidence of the practical skills gained through the programme.
The session concluded with renewed calls for stronger coordination among MoPED, SLANGO, NGOs, government ministries, development partners and beneficiaries. Stakeholders maintained that sustained collaboration, improved resource mobilisation and greater accountability are essential to ensuring that development interventions produce lasting benefits for communities across Sierra Leone.