MoPED Team Conducts District Visits to Assess NGO Coordination Meetings.

A team from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), led by the Director of NGO Affairs, Mr. Eric Massally, has concluded a series of monitoring and assessment visits to Koinadugu, Falaba, Karene, and Bombali Districts. The exercise was part of the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of NGO coordination meetings and strengthen collaboration between non-governmental organizations, local councils, and other district-level stakeholders.

The district meetings, chaired by respective District Council Chairpersons, brought together Chief Administrators, District Planning Officers, NGO leads, and representatives from both local and international NGOs.

Discussions were focused on enhancing coordination, aligning NGO activities with local development priorities, and improving accountability in project implementation.

In his remarks, Mr. Massally emphasized the importance of sustained partnerships between NGOs and local councils, stating that effective coordination is critical for maximizing development impact

“The Ministry remains committed to promoting collaboration between development actors to ensure that every intervention contributes meaningfully to national and local priorities,” he said.

Mr. Massally further announced that a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) would be developed and signed by Country Directors of NGOs to formalize their participation in district coordination meetings.

The MoU he said would also outline roles, responsibilities, and reporting mechanisms aimed at improving transparency and strengthening partnerships at the local levels.

According to the Director, the ongoing assessment seeks to:

Evaluate the effectiveness of NGO coordination meetings across districts;

Assess the level of collaboration between NGOs, local councils, and development partners;

Identify existing gaps in coordination; and

Develop a strategic roadmap for enhanced cooperation and alignment with government priorities.

The assessment team will continue its visits to Kono, Tonkolili, and Kambia Districts, where further engagements are planned to finalize the MoU process and ensure regular participation of NGOs in district coordination mechanisms.

Mr. Massally reaffirmed MoPED’s dedication to fostering stronger NGO-Government relationships that enhance service delivery, promote accountability, and accelerate national development.

By John Farfira Kamara

SLENA Correspondent, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development

Email: johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com | Tel: ‪+232 79 185 532‬