Foreign Ministry Holds Capacity-Building Training on Third-Country National Agreement

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has held a one-day capacity-building training to strengthen institutional preparedness, improve inter-agency coordination, and support effective implementation of the Third-Country National Agreement.

The training, held at the Ministry’s Conference Room at Tower Hill, Freetown, brought together government officials, representatives of Kenvah Solutions, consultants from DRESQ Limited, and other participants involved in implementing the agreement.

Acting Director-General Momodu A. Wurie received the delegation and stressed the need for technical and institutional capacity to implement the agreement in a coordinated, lawful, and humane manner.

He said the agreement is restricted to nationals of ECOWAS member states and has an annual ceiling of 300 individuals and a monthly limit of 25 persons. The United States has provided US$1.5 million to support humanitarian migration-related needs under the arrangement, he added.

Mr Wurie called for collective responsibility among participating institutions, saying successful implementation would depend on clearly defined institutional roles, effective communication, compliance with applicable legal frameworks, and respect for the fundamental rights and dignity of returnees.

He underscored the need for all institutions to understand the agreement’s provisions, operational requirements, and protection obligations, adding that adherence to established limits and procedures would be essential for accountability, consistency, and transparency

The training covered institutional mandates, national legislation, international obligations, registration and documentation procedures, case-management processes, and protocols for responding to protection concerns.

Participants were encouraged to carry out all relevant procedures with professionalism, fairness, and respect for human dignity while remaining compliant with national laws and international commitments.

Mr Wurie said no single institution could adequately address the administrative, legal, and humanitarian dimensions of the agreement without active cooperation from its counterparts. He stressed the importance of clear communication channels to support timely information-sharing, consistent documentation, and effective case management.

He linked the exercise to priorities set by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mr Mohamed Rahman Swaray, including strengthening coordination, improving institutional performance, and ensuring that international agreements are implemented in line with national interests and established obligations.

The Ministry acknowledged the contributions of participating government institutions, Kenvah Solutions as implementing partner, DRESQ Limited as training consultant, and other stakeholders supporting the initiative.

It encouraged participating institutions to apply the lessons learned and sustain cooperation throughout the implementation process.

The exercise forms part of efforts to establish a coordinated and informed institutional approach to the Third-Country National Agreement. By strengthening technical competence, clarifying responsibilities, and reinforcing legal and humanitarian safeguards, the Ministry seeks to promote implementation that is orderly, transparent, accountable, and respectful of human rights.

Senior Correspondent-Amara Kargbo