Sierra Leone – February 11, 2026: The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), through its NGO Affairs Directorate in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO), continued its NGO Open Information Initiative with presentations from BRAC Sierra Leone, AVSI Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). The session took place at the MoPED Conference Hall, Tower Hill, Freetown.
The NGO Open Information Initiative provides a structured platform for NGOs to publicly present their annual work plans, funding sources, geographic coverage, implementation strategies, and impact. It forms part of government’s efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability, and coordination across the development sector, ensuring NGO interventions align with national priorities, particularly the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Government’s Big Five Game Changers.
Chairing the session, Deputy Development Secretary I, Mr. Usman Cherry Conteh, underscored the critical role NGOs play in complementing government efforts. He emphasized that the initiative allows institutions, partners, and citizens to better understand the scope and impact of NGO interventions nationwide.
Director of NGO Affairs, Mr. Eric Massallay, explained that the initiative promotes structured disclosure of NGO activities and financial frameworks, thereby enhancing public trust and collaboration with Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, described the initiative as a groundbreaking step toward transparency and accountability in the NGO sector. She commended BRAC, AVSI, and CHAI for openly presenting their activities and financial information, noting their contributions to health, education, gender empowerment, and human capital development.
SLANGO Director, Ms. Alice Neneh James, praised MoPED for institutionalising the initiative, calling it an important platform for promoting accountability among NGOs. She encouraged stakeholders, including the media, to visit project sites to witness the impact of NGO interventions.
Representing Parliament, Hon. Komba, Chair of the Parliamentary Committee on NGOs and NaCSA, described the initiative as a vital accountability mechanism that strengthens oversight and cooperation between government and development partners. Hon. Quee assured NGOs of Parliament’s continued support in addressing policy challenges.
Officials from the Ministries of Health, Education, and Youth Affairs reaffirmed the importance of coordination, stressing that accountability and sustainability are crucial for long-term impact.
During the session, the participating NGOs presented detailed overviews of their work:
- AVSI Foundation: Country Director Gianni Bagaglia highlighted AVSI’s long-standing presence since the late 1990s, focusing on education, child protection, clean energy, and community development.
- BRAC Sierra Leone: Country Director Adolphus B. W. Doe outlined BRAC’s operations in 16 districts, supporting adolescent girls and young women through life-skills training, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. He noted that nearly 400 staff, mostly women, are employed nationwide.
- Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI): Country Director Silvestre Suh presented CHAI’s work in strengthening health systems since 2015, including workforce audits after the Ebola outbreak, supply chain improvements, and efficiency gains in the health sector.
MoPED reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining the NGO Open Information Initiative as part of broader efforts to promote transparency, accountability, and stronger collaboration across Sierra Leone’s development landscape.
By: Nelson Adebayo Johnson