Freetown: The Ministry of Social Welfare, in partnership with MoPED, hosted a Coordination and Collaboration meeting with NGO partners at the Ministry's Conference Hall last week, aimed at strengthening collaboration, improving coordination, and ensuring efficient use of resources across social welfare programs and economic development initiatives. Permanent Secretary Sidie M. Sesay opened the session, underscoring its importance for national progress.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the meeting was chaired by Hon. Kenyeh Berlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, who praised the Ministry of Social Welfare for its ongoing leadership in development efforts aligned with the Government's Five Big Game Changers agenda. Minister Berlay emphasized the necessity of addressing vulnerable populations to support food security and minimize leakage in service delivery. The meeting's objective was to better coordinate donors and NGOs, with the Ministry of Social Welfare acting as a strategic hub for achieving high-impact outcomes.
The expected results from the meeting include improved sector professionalism, enhanced collaboration and decentralization, better coordination for delivering the Medium-Term National Development Plan, clarified service level agreements (SLAs), and stressed institutional commitments. Minister Berlay mentioned that Minister Melrose Karminty would co-chair quarterly coordination meetings.
Hon. Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare, during her welcoming remarks, highlighted the ministry's mandate to support the less privileged and praised MoPED's initiative to unite stakeholders for strategic planning. She cited the success of NGO week in fostering collaboration and coordinated service delivery, emphasizing that 'Service delivery thrives on collaboration, coordination, and pooled resources.' She expressed gratitude to Minister Berlay for the initiative.
Mr. Eric Massallay, Director of NGO Affairs, expressed enthusiasm for the sectoral approach to strengthening relationships. He clarified the directorate's role in ensuring NGOs are properly registered and operate in alignment with line ministries. He noted the reactivation of national-and district-level coordination to minimize duplication, highlighting MoPED's role in strengthening platforms and ensuring district delivery adheres to national standards.
The meeting reaffirmed commitment to collaboration, stronger NGO-ministry relationships, and adherence to national specifications while offering a platform to review the Ministry's Annual Work Plan so NGOs can align their interventions. Massallay added that a functional coordinating structure is essential for effective follow-up.
Chief Director Mariatu Bangura presented an overview of the Ministry of Social Welfare's Strategic Plan (2024-2028), detailing its transformative goals to increase service delivery across mandate areas through measurable outputs. Directorates then outlined their 2026 activities, mandates, and plans.
Mr. Brima Abdul Sheriff, Chairperson of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, outlined plans to strengthen institutional resilience for persons with disabilities, advance human capital development, promote gender and social inclusion, and host an Annual Disability Leadership and Excellence Awards to recognize impactful NGOs.
Directors from Policy Planning and Research, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services, Social and Religious Affairs, and Family Welfare shared their mandates and 2026 objectives. Madam Finda Sheriff, Director of Programs and Research at the Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force, presented her team's plans and projected achievements.
Minister Melrose Karminty announced the establishment of the Professional Social Work Regulatory Council, which will register and license social workers, facilities, and social work organizations nationwide, marking a significant step toward professionalizing Sierra Leone's social work sector.