MoPED applauds BRAC, AVSI, and CHAI for improving transparency and coordination among NGOs

On March 11, 2026, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) partnered with the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) to continue the NGO Open Information Initiative, with public presentations by BRAC Sierra Leone, AVSI Foundation, and the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI). The session, held at the MoPED Conference Hall in Tower Hill, Freetown, was part of a long-term effort to improve transparency, accountability, and coordination throughout Sierra Leone’s development sector.
The Open Information Initiative enables non-governmental organisations in the country to share annual work plans, funding sources, geographic coverage, implementation strategies, and impact evidence. The MoPED initiative aims to align NGO activities with national priorities, including the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Government’s “Big Five” Game Changers. It also provides government institutions, development partners, and citizens with better insight into interventions across the country.
Mr Usman Cherry Conteh, Deputy Development Secretary I at MoPED, chaired the session and emphasised the complementary role of NGOs in delivering services and advancing national development objectives. He stated that the initiative provides a common platform for the government, development partners, and civil society to understand better the scope and impact of NGO programmes, as well as to improve coordination so that resources and efforts reach their intended beneficiaries.
Mr Eric Massallay, Director of NGO Affairs at MoPED, described the exercise as a tool for structured disclosure of NGO priorities and financial frameworks. “This initiative enhances public trust and strengthens collaboration between NGOs and line Ministries, Departments, and Agencies,” he said, emphasising the ministry’s goal of institutionalising regular, public reporting from development partners.
The Minister of Planning and Economic Development gave the keynote address. Kenyeh Barlay described the initiative as a ground-breaking step toward increased transparency and accountability in the non-governmental organisation sector. Minister Barlay praised BRAC, AVSI, and CHAI for being transparent in presenting programmatic and financial information, and urged NGOs to continue working closely with line ministries to ensure interventions are aligned with the broader national development agenda and sustainable after donor funding ends.
Ms Alice Neneh James, Director of SLANGO, welcomed MoPED’s institutionalisation of the platform and emphasised its importance in increasing public trust in civil society work. She stated that sharing information on work plans, funding sources, beneficiary reach, and outcomes demonstrates a commitment to accountability and helps member organisations meet high standards of transparency. Ms James also encouraged media and other stakeholders to visit project sites to see for themselves the impact of NGO activities on communities.

The parliamentary contingent at the event expressed strong legislative support for the initiative. Hon. Komba, chair of the Parliamentary Committee on NGOs and the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), praised MoPED for establishing the mechanism, describing it as an important accountability tool that enables Parliament to exercise effective oversight while encouraging collaboration between government institutions and development partners. Hon. Quee assured NGOs of Parliament’s ongoing assistance in addressing policy or legislative constraints that may impede program delivery.
Representatives from several line ministries emphasised the importance of close coordination between the government and non-governmental organisations. Officials from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs emphasised the importance of development partners in supporting service delivery in the health, education, and youth empowerment sectors. Deputy Director Ismaila Kebbie of the Ministry of Health emphasised the importance of transparency in resource use, urging partners to collaborate with government institutions to ensure program sustainability and to keep ministries actively involved in projects so that benefits can be maintained after project funding expires.
During the session, the three participating organisations provided detailed overviews of their work and impact in Sierra Leone. AVSI Foundation Country Director Gianni Bagaglia spoke about the organisation’s presence in the country since the late 1990s, when they began supporting children affected by the civil war. He described AVSI’s current focus areas—education, child protection, clean energy, and community development—and emphasised the organisation’s collaboration with government ministries and development partners to improve service delivery systems.
BRAC Sierra Leone Country Director Adolphus B. W. Doe described the organisation’s extensive geographic reach, citing operations in 16 districts and assistance to hundreds of communities through programs for adolescent girls and young women. BRAC provides life-skills training, entrepreneurship development, and financial literacy to empower young women and improve their livelihoods. Mr Doe also highlighted BRAC’s workforce in Sierra Leone, stating that the organisation employs nearly 400 people nationwide, the vast majority of whom are women.
Silvestre Suh, CHAI’s Country Director, described the organisation’s efforts to strengthen Sierra Leone’s health systems since 2015. CHAI’s involvement has included assistance with health workforce planning, supply chain improvements for essential medicines, and efficiency measures in the health sector. Mr Suh recalled CHAI’s support for a comprehensive audit of the health workforce after the Ebola outbreak. This exercise helped the government identify staffing gaps and improve long-term workforce planning and resource allocation.
The MoPED confirmed that the Open Information Initiative will continue with additional NGO presentations in future sessions as part of a larger national coordination framework. The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining the platform as a mechanism to promote transparency, increase accountability, and deepen collaboration among the government, NGOs, and development partners across Sierra Leone’s development landscape.