Brooksfield Hotel, Freetown, 11th October 2024:-In a grand celebration of service to the people of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO), honored over 40 NGOs for their significant contributions to the country’s development. The awards ceremony, held on Friday, October 11, 2024, at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, recognized the exceptional work of both national and international NGOs across the country’s 16 districts. The awardees were commended for aligning their efforts with Sierra Leone’s Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2024-2030).

Representing His Excellency, the Vice President, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, lauded the efforts of these organizations, emphasizing the essential role they play in advancing the country’s development. She noted that their contributions align with the government’s priorities and highlighted the importance of continuing partnerships between NGOs and the state in achieving national development goals.

This inaugural Dinner and Awards Ceremony marked a new chapter in government-NGO collaboration, with over 40 organizations being recognized for their impactful work. The selection committee, led by Chairman Alhaji Momodu T. Koroma of the Inter-Religious Council, emphasized the rigorous and inclusive process used to identify deserving NGOs. “Our committee began its work in August 2024, engaging local councils, communities, and other key stakeholders across the country,” Koroma said. He praised the transparency of the process and highlighted the critical role played by MoPED’s NGO Directorate in overseeing NGO activities.

Koroma also pointed out that the absence of some NGOs from the list should not be seen as a lack of contribution but as a reflection of the feedback received from beneficiaries, particularly those in the provinces who experience firsthand the positive impact of these organizations.

In her address, Minister Barlay commended the committee’s efforts, recognizing the nominated NGOs as leaders in Sierra Leone’s development landscape. She urged NGOs to further strengthen their collaboration with government institutions to ensure the efficient delivery of services, especially in hard-to-reach communities. “This recognition should inspire all of us to work harder toward achieving our shared goals,” she remarked.

Minister Barlay also emphasized the significance of the awards, noting that they highlight the critical role NGOs play in shaping the country’s development trajectory. She encouraged NGOs to fast-track their efforts in advancing the MTNDP and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly in addressing pressing issues such as poverty and climate change.

The awards were distributed across eight key sectors: Education, Health, Agriculture and Food Security, Gender, Social Welfare and Inclusion, Youth, Environment and Climate Change, Water Resources and Sanitation, and Governance.

Organizations like SEND-SL , Save the Children, Plan International Sierra Leone, World Vision International SL and Catholic Relief Services (CRS) were commended for their contributions to inclusive and quality education, particularly for vulnerable children. Their efforts included school feeding programs, infrastructure development, and promoting STEM education for girls.

Recognized organizations, including Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), FOCUS 1000, Concern Worldwide, Emergency NGO Onlus and Partners in Health (PIH), were praised for their work in reducing preventable diseases and improving maternal and child health services.

NGOs like Action Against Hunger, Welt Hhunger Hilfe, MADAM and CARE International were honored for their contributions to the Feed Salone agenda, focusing on transforming food systems and promoting climate-smart agriculture. Save the Children , World Hope International, SEND-SL , World Vision International and Rainbo Initiative were among the organizations recognized for their efforts to advance gender equality, protect vulnerable groups, and prevent gender-based violence.

Organizations such as Youth in Action for Development (YAD), Caritas Freetown, CCYA, FORUT and the Sierra Leone YMCA were celebrated for creating employment opportunities and promoting youth participation in governance. NGOs like ActionAid International, CODOHSAPA, KADDRO, Welt Hhunger Hilfe and Christian Aid Sierra Leone were acknowledged for their work in promoting climate resilience, renewable energy solutions, and sustainable natural resource management. NGOs such as GOAL-SL, AAD-SL,MOPADA , Daindemben Federation and World Hope International were praised for providing clean water and sanitation facilities in urban and rural areas. NGOs like SEND-SL , Action Aid international, AAD-SL, NMJD and Trocaire were commended for promoting transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in governance processes.

In addition to sectoral awards, special recognitions were given to organizations and individuals for their long-standing contributions to Sierra Leone’s development. Notably, Catholic Relief Services received the *Minister’s Award* for its five-decade-long work in the country, particularly in the education and health sectors. The Embassy of Ireland was also honored for its strong partnership with the government, contributing to nutrition, education, and civil society initiatives.

Minister Barlay concluded the event with a call for heightened collaboration among NGOs, government agencies, and development partners. She urged all stakeholders to redouble their efforts in reaching out to marginalized communities, especially as the country strives to meet its development targets under the MTNDP and SDGs. She commended the government, particularly President Julius Maada Bio, for creating an enabling environment for NGOs and fostering strong partnerships for national development.

several individuals and organizations were also honored for their significant contributions to Sierra Leone’s development. Christian, the Board Chairman of SLANGO, received the Development Secretary Award for his unwavering dedication and leadership, which has brought financial stability and growth to the organization, while also strengthening its relationship with MoPED.

The Director of NGO Affairs Award went to the Country Director of Helen Keller International, who has been in Sierra Leone for over nine years. She was instrumental in the Ebola response, led key health initiatives, and facilitated collaboration between international NGOs and the government.

Life for Relief and Development was presented with a Special Award from the Minister of Social Welfare for its 28 years of humanitarian work, which includes orphan sponsorships, education support, and water well construction for deprived communities.

Welt Hunger Hilfe was recognized for its long-standing work in improving food and nutrition security, especially for smallholder farmers, while Children of the Nation was commended for its contributions to education, health, and gender inclusion, particularly in building a drug-free and inclusive environment for children.

The event was a testament to the invaluable contributions of NGOs in Sierra Leone, and the awards were distributed by various dignitaries, including the Ministers of MoPED, Social Welfare, the Acting Development Secretary, and the Director of NGO Affairs, among others.

For further information, please contact the Alfred Kabia on +23279174027 or visit the Ministry’s official social media handles: Twitter-@moped2024, on Facebook and website: Moped.gov.sl 
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