Sierra Leone Parliament demands stricter oversight of development funds

The Sierra Leonean Parliamentary Committee on Planning and Economic Development has called for enhanced oversight and accountability regarding the management of development funds, NGO projects, and national programs. During a session with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), lawmakers expressed concerns over the utilization of funds allocated to mining communities and chiefdoms, noting that significant resources have accumulated in areas like Marampa and Maforki without being effectively used.

Parliamentary members also questioned the monitoring of NGOs, suggesting the implementation of field inspections and GPS-based verification to ensure reported project completions are accurate. Additionally, the committee highlighted the need for more reliable agricultural data regarding crop yields and cultivated land.

In a separate development, MoPED is advancing the formulation of the country’s first Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) Policy. A technical committee meeting in Freetown aimed to establish a framework to recognize the contributions of CBOs, strengthen their institutional capacity, and improve coordination between local organizations, the government, and other development actors. The policy is targeted for completion by December 2026.