On February 27, 2026, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education hosted a gathering of national and international stakeholders at Freetown’s Miatta Civic Centre to commemorate Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day. The event brought together a large number of NGOs and government representatives to commemorate civil society organisations’ contributions to Sierra Leone’s democratic life and socioeconomic recovery.
NGO Day, observed worldwide on February 27th, recognises the work of over 10 million non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Sierra Leone officially began commemorating the day in 2025, with organisers presenting the 2026 observance as a broader and more ambitious national event that reflected civil society’s growing role in the country’s development agenda.
According to organisers, more than 600 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are currently operating in Sierra Leone, assisting in areas such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and overall human capital development. Organisers and speakers stated that these organisations, both local and international, have collaborated with successive governments to implement national priorities and contribute to the development of a more inclusive society.
Chernor Bah, Minister of Information and Civic Education, chaired the ceremony, saying he was honoured to lead the celebration under the theme “Collaboration, Sustainability, and Local Empowerment.” He reflected on the historic and ongoing roles of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including relief work during the civil war, post-conflict recovery efforts, disarmament, rebuilding schools and health systems, civic education and democracy strengthening, and the response to the Ebola outbreak. “I’d like to take this opportunity, as we commemorate this historic day, to urge you all to continue to collaborate closely with us in government. Allow us to collaborate honestly. Allow our sustainability to be real. And let us not lose sight of our commitment to building local capacity and investing in local non-governmental organisations,” he said.
Madam Kenyeh Barley, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, delivered remarks on behalf of President Julius Maada Bio, expressing gratitude for the resilience and dedication of national and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In her keynote address, she praised the government’s long-standing partnership with Sierra Leone’s more than 600 non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Madam Kenyeh Barley emphasised the sector’s economic and social contributions, pointing out that NGOs employ over 5,000 people and play a critical role in empowering vulnerable groups, promoting transparency, and advancing sustainable development. She also highlighted NGOs’ contributions to the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024-2030) and their alignment with the Government’s “Big Five Game Changers,” which were described at the event as food security, human capital development, youth employment, infrastructure, governance reform, climate resilience, and emergency response.
“The government remains steadfast in its commitment to providing a predictable, transparent, and supportive operational environment for NGOs to operate,” Madam Kenyeh Barley said, expressing gratitude on behalf of the nation to NGO leaders, staff members, volunteers, and development partners for their ongoing contributions to Sierra Leone’s advancement.
Participants used the occasion to renew calls for greater collaboration, improved local capacity-building, and long-term partnerships that enable domestic organisations to lead development efforts across the country.
