Sierra Leone’s NGOs Agree to Develop Code of Ethics to Promote NGO Accountability
Stakeholders at the just concluded NGO Accountability workshop held at the British Council Hall November 10-11, 2010, were in agreement to the setting up of a task force of high level representatives of NGOs to develop a Code of Ethics for the sector.
The 2-days national conference organized by Accountability Alert-Sierra Leone (AA-SL) with support from CIVICUS had over 80 stakeholders drawn from all shades of the country. There were representations from the NGOs/CSOs, donors, government, the media, the youth commission, NUSS, Academic Staff Association, the Police, financial institutions, and beneficiaries as well.
The stakeholders discussed strategies for rapid improvement in services through project co-ordination, citizen participation and information sharing. The workshop came as a result of recognition that there is a disconnect between citizens and key actors in project delivery. This has led to ineffective use of resources, disregard for people’s rights and dissatisfaction with public services. The workshop objectives were to identify key issues and map out action for the way forward.
While there was a common acknowledgement that donors and NGOs worked to improve the quality of life of the people, discussions confirmed the need for pressing change in practice in order to fulfill this promise. The workshop identified key issues and established that while there is good practice in Sierra Leone, it is not shared in the sector.
Several prominent and distinguished personalities from Sierra Leone and experts from abroad made presentations on Accountability and moving the agenda forward. Amongst the keynotes speakers were, Mr. Elvis G. Hallowell, Director General-SLBC, who spoke on the broader issue of Ethics, Transparency and Accountability; Mr. Samuel Harbor-Deputy UNDP Representative, on perspectives of the donor/international community on strategy and best practices for accountability; Ms. Dorte Joergensen-Learning and Development Coordinator–Save the Children Sierra Leone summed up for International NGOs linking their strategy with best practices; Mr. Charles Mambu-Head of Civil Society on Civil Society Organizations (CSO’s) and what it means to be accountable.
Mr. Solomon Scott, NGO Desk Officer at Ministry of Development and Economic Planning (MODEP) framed the conversation on the role of Government as it relates to NGO accountability. Citizens from two beneficiary communities were given platform to tell their side of the debate. The Role of the Media and its position on the realm of Accountability and Transparency was presented by SLAJ President – Mr. Umaru Fofanah. The workshop was honoured to have as distinguished chairpersons, Dr. Julius Spencer, Managing Director- Premier Media Consultancy Ltd. and Mr Nick Ryder-from the British High Commission.
The workshop was structured in ways to have participants learn from the experiences of best practices from Cameroon and Uganda. Mr. Neba Celestine Asombang, of North West Association of Development Organizations (NWADO), Cameroon, and Harriet Namisi, Program Coordinator, Policy Analysis Development Network of the Indigenous Voluntary Associations from DENIVA-Uganda, gave first-hand narrative behind their success, lessons that could get the initiative over the hurdles and bolster the accountability efforts in Sierra Leone.
The distinguishing feature of the workshop was a successful group work which enabled all participants makes meaningful contribution to recommendations for the joint plan of action. This part of the programme was guided by AA-SL’s Consultant/Governance Specialist Jadranka Foster andMs. Adele Poskitt, Legitimacy, Transparency and Accountability Officer – CIVICUS (South Africa).
Stakeholders were in agreement that the donor community in Sierra Leone can make accountability work for its citizenry by publishing the budgets for all funded project and together with beneficiaries, monitor and evaluate projects. The NGOs were reminded to do much better in empowering local communities by developing the human capacity of the communities in which they operate. They were asked to improve on strategy for community participation by actively involving the community at every stage to enhance an ownership agenda.
The government would help improve accountability by creating an enabling environment for the practice of accountability and transparency by establishing and supporting essential structures within communities like Ward Committees, Chiefdom Development Committees, and Village Development Committees. The government was asked to strengthen the mandate of accredited accountability institutions and establishing bench marks and punitive measures that ensures compliance. Citizens have responsibilities too and were asked to be accountable to self and to others, demonstrate honesty, become more open and willing to collaborate.
A significant outcome from the workshop was the endorsement by stakeholders for the development of a National Code of Conduct for the NGO sector, which sets benchmarks for self-regulation. Stakeholders now more than even believe that the involvement of beneficiaries in the planning and development of projects is a performance measure of accountability which every NGO should strive to attain.
For the workshop to move from talk to action, a task force (steering committee) of high level representatives of NGOs is to be set-up to develop code of ethics, with AA-SL as Hub. AA-SL will over the coming weeks identify and liaise with the focal persons from each organization to initiate regular meetings, document best practice of accountability and transparency in Sierra Leone and create a network of NGO constituency across the country on issues of accountability.
The campaign to promote transparency and ethical standards in the NGO sector began with the commencement of four regional workshops held across the country: July 16, 2010 in Koribondo, Southern Province; August 5, 2010 in Makeni, Northern Province; August 26, 2010 in Kenema, Eastern Province; and September 15, 2010 in Waterloo, Western Area.
For additional information, please contact: Accountability Alert – Sierra Leone (AA-SL) 93 Fort Street, Freetown, Sierra Leone Tel: 76-611-685 / 76-889-704 Website: www.aalert.orgAccountability Alert Sierra Leone (AA-SL), a new NGO whose aim is to improve professional performance, promote Accountability and ethical behaviour amongst NGO/CSO sector.
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