MoPED Revokes Registration of 20 NGOs Over Regulatory Non-Compliance

The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) has deregistered and revoked the registration certificates of 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating in Sierra Leone over alleged failure to comply with regulatory and operational requirements.

MoPED said the decision followed a comprehensive compliance verification exercise conducted to assess the operational status of registered NGOs and determine whether they were meeting the standards required under the NGO Policy Framework and other statutory obligations.

According to the Ministry, the review identified several organisations that failed to meet the minimum requirements necessary to retain their legal status as registered NGOs.

MoPED said the affected organisations were deregistered for reasons including failure to maintain identifiable office premises, failure to submit reports on development interventions during the period under review, and non-compliance with mandatory statutory and regulatory obligations.

“The exercise revealed that a number of organisations have failed to meet the minimum regulatory and operational standards required to maintain their legal status as registered NGOs,” the Ministry stated.

The deregistered organisations include 523 International Alliance for the Eradication of Malaria, Caravanes Solidaires, Friends International Inc., Institute Mozdahir International, International Committee for the Protection of Human Rights and Freedom, Ada Living Hope Orphanage, Lungi Women and Children Organisation, Needy Child Sierra Leone, New Life Community Baptist Church, Njawie Bengu Foundation, Agency for Integrated Development - Sierra Leone, Global Advocates for Children in Armed Conflicts Inc. Sierra Leone Chapter, Club of Health Actors - Sierra Leone, Daughters Vocational Centre, Nana Dee Foundation, Public Service Life Foundation, Zion Ministries, and Partnership Action for Community Empowerment (PACE).

The Ministry said the deregistration and revocation of certificates take immediate effect, describing the move as part of efforts to strengthen accountability, transparency, and compliance within the NGO sector.

“This regulatory action is not intended to undermine the significant contributions made by compliant NGOs towards Sierra Leone’s socio-economic development,” MoPED stated.

The Ministry added that the measure is aimed at safeguarding public confidence and ensuring that all organisations operating in Sierra Leone adhere to the legal and policy framework governing the sector.

MoPED further acknowledged the contribution of compliant NGOs to national development, while emphasising that every organisation must meet the required regulatory standards.

The affected organisations will no longer be recognised as registered NGOs under MoPED’s regulatory framework.