Strengthening District Level NGO Coordination
awbahYesterday _31st May 2024_ , a joint team comprising the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs and the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organization (SLANGO) held a meeting with International Non-Governmental Organisations (INGOs) and National Non-Governmental Organisations (NNGOs) at the Bombali District Council conference hall in Makeni, located at Magbemah along Freetown highway.
The purpose of the meeting according to madam Mbalu (Ag. Director from the Ministry of Local Government) was “to do a stock take on how well coordination has been going among INGOs and NNGOs at the district level”. She furthered that there are 3 levels of coordination at the district level which are;
1- NGO- NGO meeting,
2- Sector Level meeting,
3- District Development Coordination Committee meeting.
Moreover, Eric Massalay- Director of NGO Affairs from the MoPED emphasised that, the stock taking process is to strengthen coordination at all levels by NGOs. He furthered that moving forward, NGOs will be appraised on their performance by the MoPED. Also, he mentioned that the Service Level Agreement (SLA) will now be very clear on “Coordination”. He concluded that NGOs that will be elected or selected during the meeting, will be invited to a retreat in Freetown where they will have to sign a Memorandum of Understanding and that, at the district level if an organisation fails to attend a meeting twice, there will be measures to that.
Fast-forward, madam Alice from SLANGO mentioned that one of her roles during the meeting was to conduct elections or selections (as preferred) among NGOs as a way to revitalise their mandates.
Madam Alice went further to recognise the good work of NGOs across remote communities. She also noted that a News Letter will be out soon that will project the good work of NGOs who sent it their details as was requested by SLANGO. Madam Alice also urged NGOs that, Registration with SLANGO will close on the 30th June 2024.
Renewing the mandates NGO- Leads at District Level.
This process was facilitated by Madam Alice from SLANGO. Separate engagements were held for NNGOs and INOGs operating in both Bambali and Karene Districts to Elect, Select or Rubber stamp NGO leads.
After several minutes of engagement among NGOs, it was unanimously agreed that Action for Advocacy and Development – Sierra Leone (AAD-SL) serves as NNGO Lead for Karene district whereas, Action Aid Sierra Leone serves as INGO Lead for Karene district.
At the end of the meeting/engagement, the team from MoPED, MLGCA and SLANGO gave statements of admonition to all elected, selected or rubber- stamped NGO Leads.
Group photos were then taken at the outside of the Bombali District Council which climaxed the day’s engagement with NGOs.
AAD- SL
