Freetown: BRAC, one of the world's largest non-governmental development organizations, on 1st June 2026 signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Social Welfare at the Ministry's Conference Hall in Freetown. The agreement is aimed at strengthening social welfare initiatives, promoting sustainable development, and addressing pressing social challenges affecting vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone.
According to Sierra Leone News Agency, the partnership marks an important step in advancing collaborative efforts to improve the lives of marginalized groups, including women, children, persons with disabilities, the elderly, and extremely poor households. It also reflects a shared commitment to social justice, inclusion, and poverty reduction.
In her welcome address, the Minister of Social Welfare, Hon. Melrose Karminty, thanked BRAC for what she described as an important and timely partnership. She said the signing of the agreement would further strengthen cooperation between the Ministry and BRAC, noting that no ministry can effectively serve the people alone without strong partnerships built on trust and shared purpose.
Minister Karminty gave a brief overview of the Ministry's structure, including its political, administrative, and professional leadership, as well as its agencies and four directorates. She emphasized that the Ministry's vision aligns closely with that of BRAC, particularly in addressing poverty, supporting marginalized and underprivileged communities, promoting social inclusion, and advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities. She also noted that the Ministry remains committed to providing a supportive environment for development partners.
According to her, the Ministry of Social Welfare plays a vital role in maintaining peace, stability, and social protection, yet it continues to face limited funding. For that reason, she said, partnerships with organizations such as BRAC are both necessary and significant. The Minister further described the MOU as a binding framework that will enable both institutions to deliver more effective services to the people of Sierra Leone. She reaffirmed her commitment to the partnership and commended BRAC for what she called a laudable initiative.
Speaking on behalf of BRAC Sierra Leone, Mr. Adolphus B.N. Doe, Country Director, expressed appreciation to the Ministry's leadership for the opportunity to formalize the partnership. He said BRAC's work focuses largely on vulnerable populations, especially children, adolescent girls, and young women. Mr. Doe explained that BRAC operates in Sierra Leone through two entities: its NGO arm, which focuses on social development, and BRAC Microfinance, which promotes economic empowerment. He noted that the organization is currently implementing two major programmes in the country one in education and the other in youth empowerment both of which naturally align BRAC's work with the mandate of the Ministry of Social Welfare.
He disclosed that one of BRAC's ongoing projects in Sierra Leone is expected to target 200,000 adolescent girls and young women between the ages of 12 and 35. He said the project includes a strong social empowerment component focused on behavioural change, life skills training, and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Mr. Doe added that BRAC is also working with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education to promote early child protection and to support the development of a parental manual. He further highlighted BRAC's Ultra-Poor Graduation Programme, which is designed to assist extremely poor households in moving out of extreme poverty through targeted development support.
He said these programmes will enable BRAC to work more closely with the Ministry of Social Welfare and reaffirmed the organization's commitment to building a lasting and productive relationship. He described the signing of the agreement as the beginning of a stronger partnership and expressed BRAC's readiness to continue supporting the Ministry in every way possible.
The key objectives of the Memorandum of Understanding include enhancing social protection through joint programmes that provide vulnerable populations with access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and economic opportunities. The agreement also seeks to strengthen capacity building through training and resources for girls and young women, while supporting the joint implementation of empowerment programmes, including skills training for women, support for the elderly, and initiatives that promote inclusion and economic participation for persons with disabilities.
The MOU was officially signed by Hon. Minister Melrose Karminty and Mr. Adolphus B.N. Doe, Country Director of BRAC Sierra Leone. The signing formalizes cooperation between the two institutions and reinforces their shared resolve to address social challenges through coordinated action. The agreement is expected to improve collaboration, strengthen service delivery, and maximize the use of resources in tackling some of the country's most urgent social welfare concerns.