Parliament Engages Concern Worldwide on 30 Years in Sierra Leone
By Benjamin S Conteh
On 25th August 2025, Country Director of Concern Worldwide Sierra Leone, Davina Jeffery, appeared before a parliamentary committee to brief members on the organization’s operations, achievements, and ongoing programmes across the country. Concern Worldwide, an Irish-based international NGO, is set to mark 30 years of operations in Sierra Leone next year, with interventions focused on health, food security, livelihoods, and nutrition.
In her statement, Ms. Jeffery informed the committee that Concern Worldwide currently employs around 150 staff and operates in Western Area Urban, Tonkolili, Port Loko, and Kambia districts, while partners implement activities in Kono, Bombali, and Moyamba.
She highlighted two major programmes with signed Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with the Government of Sierra Leone:
The Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Programme funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), implemented under a consortium of six partners.
The “Yachti Yachti” Programme a food security, nutrition, and livelihoods project funded by Irish Aid, with subgrants to several local partners.
Ms. Jeffery further explained that while Concern Worldwide also implements other projects, those are under consortium arrangements led by other agencies, who take the lead on SLAs with the government.
The committee welcomed the briefing, noting the importance of NGOs maintaining close collaboration with Parliament. Members stressed the need for Concern Worldwide to submit its organizational manuals and detailed project reports in future engagements, to ensure parliamentarians are well-informed of programme reach and financial accountability.
On the financial side, Ms. Jeffery presented a one-page expenditure summary of the two main projects, indicating annual funding received, disbursements, and balances. However, committee members requested further breakdowns on project scheduling and expenditure details.
Clarifying the origin of the “Yachti Yachti” programme name, Ms. Jeffery explained that the title was chosen by local programme staff to reflect community-friendly language around food diversification and healthy livelihoods.
In closing, the committee chair commended Concern Worldwide for its long-standing contribution to Sierra Leone’s development and encouraged continued transparency, collaboration, and community driven initiatives.
