Freetown, December 10, 2024 – The Honorable Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, addressed the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO), reiterating the government’s commitment to fostering stronger partnerships with NGOs for sustainable national development.

Held under the theme “Building a Sustainable Future: The Role of NGOs in Achieving National Development”, the AGM took place at the Vanilla Complex in Aberdeen, Freetown, and brought together development partners, NGO leaders, civil society representatives, and government officials to discuss collaboration and address development priorities.

In her keynote address, Minister Barlay acknowledged SLANGO’s contributions since its establishment in 1994, particularly in coordinating NGO activities and improving service delivery in vulnerable communities. She emphasized that the collective efforts of NGOs have been instrumental in advancing key areas such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and water and sanitation, which align with the goals of the Medium-Term National Development Plan.

The Minister highlighted significant achievements of NGOs, including school and health facility construction, water and sanitation infrastructure provision, teacher and healthcare personnel training, child protection and youth empowerment initiatives, and agricultural development through the provision of inputs and processing facilities. She encouraged SLANGO to continue advocating for policy reforms, supporting NGO operations, and promoting effective service delivery at the district level.

The AGM included presentations of SLANGO’s financial and operational reports, a review of its Memorandum and Articles of Association, and elections for new leadership. Discussions focused on resource mobilization, capacity building, and adopting a harmonized approach to improve the effectiveness of NGO activities.

Minister Barlay urged NGOs to prioritize collaboration and innovation in their work to address Sierra Leone’s pressing development challenges. She assured them of the government’s continued support and reiterated that the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development remains committed to providing an enabling environment for NGOs to thrive and contribute meaningfully to national development.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of resolutions to enhance SLANGO’s role in Sierra Leone’s development and the election of new leadership to guide the organization’s future efforts.

The minister was accompanied by Komba Momoh, Deputy Development Secretary and Head of ECOWAS National Office Sierra Leone.

For further information, please contact 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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