The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) on Tuesday 4th November 2025 at the MoPED conference hall, Tower Hill in Freetown, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) operating in the country as an indication of their commitment and quality of representation to address the concerns of the people who are demanding quality representation.
At the meeting held from 10th – 12th September 2025 at MoPED, all parties extensively discussed and agreed that an MoU be signed. Furthermore, the MoU is a joint product by all the parties.
The MoU is the outcome of the meeting held in September this year in which it was recommended that all INGOs sign it for collective responsibility, to avoid duplication, facilitate coordination, engagements at district and regional levels in addition to discussing challenges to advance Sierra Leone’s development as articulated in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP).
In her keynote address, the MoPED Minister, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, welcomed and acclaimed development partners for helping to achieve the Ministry’s mandate affirming that the meeting would further galvanize the impact of INGO activities in the field, underscored that it is important to improve coordination and observed that the MoU is the outcome of several engagements.
The Minister also noted that coordination of INGO activities has been loosed, warned that they must abide by the stringent MoU to improve coordination at district and regional levels, reporting and communication as well as mutual accountability and ensure that their programs and activities are aligned to the government’s MTNDP.
According to the Minister, all INGO Country Directors must be represented at senior level at coordination meetings and that defaulters would be reprimanded.
Other issues she highlighted were timely reporting, that MoPED would maintain a tracker of development efficiency, create the enabling environment for INGOs to operate, strengthen collaboration with INGOs, Local Councils and Line Ministries, ensure mutual respect and shared responsibilities affirming that the MoU would make all operational, serve as a new phase of partnership and aligned to national issues.
The Minister furthered that the Ministry wants to see the impact of INGO activities on the people of Sierra Leone, noted that government cannot do it alone nor INGOs and applauded them for their commitment to the people adding that they want to tell the story of INGOs work better at district and regional levels.
The INGOs also pledged to work with MoPED to address the challenges and commended the Ministry for providing the enabling environment for them to operate.
Earlier, the chairman of the event and Development Secretary, MoPED, Mr. Ambros James reiterated that the MoPED is responsible for INGOs operating and planning of the country reiterating that INGOs play a vital role in the country’s development.
He recalled that they have held several meetings with INGOs including one with the Vice President in which several issues were raised and discussed citing some established structures that are not working and underscored the need for all partners to be held responsible if things are not working the right way.
The Development Secretary also mentioned the INGOs Steering Committee, applauded MoPED for supporting them and hoped future meetings with the Vice President would continue to discuss issues affecting INGOs.
The Board Chairman, INGO Steering Committee and Country Director of Goal, acclaimed MoPED for efforts made to improve their operations, affirmed that all NGOs must participate in all district and regional activities to know the impact of their services in the communities in which they serve.
Highlights of the well-attended event were the reading of the MoU by the Director of NGO Affairs, Mr. Eric Massalay and presentation of the MoU to SLANGO by the Minister while the Deputy Minister of MoPED, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams rendered the vote of thanks.
