Freetown, Sierra Leone, 23 July 2026 — UNFPA Sierra Leone, in partnership with the Government of Sierra Leone through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), convened a two-day Mid-Year Performance Review with implementing partners to assess progress and accelerate results under the 8th Country Programme (2025–2030).

Held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown, the review brought together government institutions and non-governmental and civil society organizations to reflect on achievements recorded in the first half of 2026, identify gaps, and define priorities for the remainder of the year.

In his opening remarks, the UNFPA Representative, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, underscored the urgency of translating progress into measurable impact. 

“We are standing at a critical juncture. We are in the second year of implementing our 8th Country Programme 2025–2030. The foundational phase is behind us; 2026 is the year where we must demonstrate measurable, accelerated momentum, moving from baseline indicators to true impact,” the representative stated.

The Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, commended implementing partners for their resilience and commitment despite operational challenges. She noted that progress made in the first half of the year reflects strong collaboration, while emphasizing the need for sustained effort to deliver results.

Across the sessions, a recurring message was the importance of efficiency and accountability in a constrained funding landscape. It was highlighted that maximizing the use of available resources is not optional but essential to achieving programme targets and delivering value for money.

The review emphasized the need to move beyond activity-based reporting toward a more results-driven approach. Partners were encouraged to conduct honest assessments of what is working, identify persistent gaps, and implement corrective actions to strengthen programme delivery while safeguarding women and girls.

Over the two days, implementing partners presented detailed performance updates across the four Country Programme outputs: 

• Sexual and Reproductive Health (Output 1),

• Gender Equality (Output 2)

• Adolescent and Youth Development (Output 3)

• Population Data and Development (Output 4). 

These “deep dive” sessions highlighted progress, lessons learned, and opportunities for greater synergy and collaboration.

Key discussions included strengthening partnerships between the Government of Sierra Leone and implementing partners, reviewing findings from joint UNFPA–MoPED monitoring missions, and reinforcing MoPED’s accountability framework for NGOs and INGOs.

Sessions on UNFPA’s policies and procedures further reinforced compliance on financial management, fraud prevention, and asset management, while a dedicated sensitization on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (PSEAH) reiterated UNFPA’s zero-tolerance policy and partner reporting obligations.

Looking ahead, participants worked in groups to develop acceleration plans for the third and fourth quarters of 2026. These plans outlined priority actions across all thematic areas, with a clear focus on strengthening coordination, improving the quality and timeliness of reporting, enhancing financial accountability, and ensuring that interventions reach those most in need.

Closing the session, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus-Williams, reiterated the importance of collective accountability and sustained collaboration to achieve national development priorities and deliver on the commitments of the 8th Country Programme.

The Mid-Year Performance Review reaffirmed a shared commitment among UNFPA Sierra Leone, the Government of Sierra Leone, and implementing partners to move decisively from progress to impact, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Media contact: Juliet Thomas | Communications Unit | UNFPA Sierra Leone | juthomas@unfpa.org