The National Monitoring and Evaluation Agency (NaMEA), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), has concluded a two-day validation workshop for 10 Public Investment Project Monitoring Reports at the Freetown City Council Hall on Wallace Johnson Street.
The 10 projects are being implemented by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across Sierra Leone. The workshop brought together over 70 participants, including representatives from the Ministries of Education, Youth Employment, Agriculture, Health, Energy, the National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), and the National Digital Transformation Directorate.
The monitoring and evaluation exercises were conducted nationwide in November and December 2025, covering 16 districts across the country.
Opening the workshop, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, said the Ministry established NaMEA to strengthen evidence-based governance. She described the validation exercise as a demonstration of government’s commitment to accountability and transparency, ensuring that public resources are translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
“This event is timely and critical for achieving greater impact with limited resources,” she said. “Citizens deserve evidence, and NaMEA is central to providing it. Monitoring, evaluation, and validation are not the end point but a learning process that should inform action, strengthen partnerships, and ensure recommendations are implemented.”
In his remarks, NaMEA Deputy Director General, Mr. Paul Allen, said the agency monitored the 10 projects across 16 districts between November and December 2025. He noted that while some projects are performing well, others are facing implementation challenges.
“This process will improve future project delivery, and we will ensure the reports are acted upon for the benefit of Sierra Leoneans,” he said, adding that all 10 projects align with the government’s Big Five Game Changers agenda.
Dr. Susan Roberts, Deputy Commissioner of NaCSA, said NaMEA’s work strengthens accountability in social protection and youth employment programmes. She noted that beneficiary selection is guided by data from Statistics Sierra Leone and acknowledged support from development partners including the Islamic Development Bank and the German Development Bank.
She also highlighted ongoing infrastructure investments in border districts, including roads, culverts, water systems, and agricultural value chains in areas such as Kambia and other parts of the country.
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative, Mr. Kevin Petrini, said the validation exercise is aimed at improving efficiency, value for money, and project delivery. He emphasized that strong project management is essential for fiscal stability and sustainable development.
“Evidence empowers action,” he said, reaffirming UNDP’s continued partnership with NaMEA in supporting Sierra Leone’s development priorities.
The session was chaired by Mr. Saidu Amara, Director of Capacity Organisational Policy Systems and Development. During the question-and-answer segment, it was revealed that NaMEA is currently monitoring over 200 ongoing projects nationwide.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Mrs. Maliatu Bah Jalloh of NaMEA.
