By Mahamood Fofana
ActionAid Sierra Leone has concluded an Open Information Policy (OIP) forum in Makeni aimed at strengthening transparency, accountability, and stakeholder participation in the implementation of its development programmes.
The forum, held on March 10, 2026, at Garden State Hall, brought together community representatives, civil society actors, implementing partners, and district stakeholders from Bombali District. The engagement served as a platform for the organization to present its 2026 operational framework and financial outlook while encouraging dialogue with beneficiaries and partners.
Addressing participants during the event, the Northern Regional Manager of ActionAid Sierra Leone, Fatmata Fornah‑Jalloh, disclosed that the organisation’s projected funding for 2026 has dropped significantly compared to the previous year.
According to her, ActionAid received approximately eight million New Leones in funding last year, but the figure has declined to about five million, six hundred and fifteen thousand, three hundred and thirty New Leones for 2026.
Fornah-Jalloh explained that the reduction in funding is largely linked to overlapping beneficiary cycles within donor-supported programmes as well as broader global economic pressures that have affected development financing.
Despite the financial constraints, she encouraged implementing partners and community stakeholders to remain committed to ongoing initiatives and to make effective use of the available resources.
She emphasized the need for innovation, prudent management of funds, and proactive engagement in attracting additional donor support to sustain development activities.
“Our engagement with communities and partners is important because it ensures that the limited resources available are used effectively,” she said, adding that collaboration and accountability remain central to the organization’s approach.
One of the organisation’s key implementing partners, Women’s Action for Human Dignity Sierra Leone (WAHD-SL), also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting ActionAid’s programmes.
Speaking to journalists at the event, the Director of WAHD-SL, Haja Betty Alimamy Sesay, said the partnership between the two organisations has contributed to several community-based interventions in northeastern Sierra Leone.
She noted that her organisation’s participation in the forum reflects its dedication to ensuring that projects funded through the partnership are implemented effectively and in line with donor expectations.
Sesay further stressed the importance of transparency and monitoring in development work, encouraging community members and local stakeholders to actively track the progress of projects.
“We remain committed to ensuring that all activities carried out under these programmes are implemented in a transparent and accountable manner,” she stated.
Also addressing the gathering was Mohamed Sorie Marrah, Volunteer Protection Officer with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Bombali District. He commended ActionAid and its implementing partners for their continued support toward improving the welfare of vulnerable groups, particularly women, girls, and children.
Marrah noted that many of the organisation’s initiatives complement the ministry’s efforts to promote gender equality and protect vulnerable populations within communities.
The Open Information Policy forum forms part of ActionAid Sierra Leone’s broader strategy to promote transparency in its operations by openly sharing information about budgets, programmes, and implementation processes with stakeholders.
Through such engagements, the organisation aims to strengthen trust with communities and ensure that development programmes are implemented in ways that reflect the needs and priorities of beneficiaries.
