By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

Minister of Internal Affairs, Morie Lengor, Esq., has directed agencies under his ministry to develop and submit costed one-month and one-year action plans as part of efforts to strengthen institutional coordination, accountability and service delivery.

The directive was issued during a high-level meeting with heads of agencies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, where discussions focused on institutional challenges, governance, transparency, accountability and the rule of law.

Minister Lengor said the meeting provided an important platform for agencies to share information, assess their performance and identify areas requiring greater coordination and collaboration.

He acknowledged the operational and institutional challenges confronting various agencies but commended their leadership and personnel for continuing to perform their responsibilities despite existing constraints.

The Minister said stronger coordination among agencies was necessary to improve the effectiveness of the ministry and ensure that government institutions deliver on their mandates.

As part of the new approach, Lengor announced that fortnightly inter-agency meetings will be introduced to strengthen communication, facilitate information sharing and improve decision-making.

He said the regular meetings would provide agencies with an opportunity to review progress, address emerging challenges and coordinate responses to issues that require joint action.

Central to the Minister’s directive is the preparation of two costed action plans by each agency. The first plan will cover a one-month period, while the second will outline priorities and activities for one year.

According to Lengor, the plans must contain clear budgets, timelines and achievable priorities, allowing the ministry and its agencies to better monitor implementation and assess results.

He urged agency heads to ensure that their plans are realistic and focused on activities that can produce measurable outcomes.

The Minister stressed the importance of concentrating on practical interventions and “low-hanging fruits” that can be achieved with resources already available to the institutions.

He said agencies should avoid setting priorities that are beyond their immediate capacity and instead focus on initiatives capable of delivering tangible improvements to citizens.

The emphasis on costed action plans is also expected to provide the ministry with a clearer picture of the financial resources required to implement institutional priorities and identify areas where additional support may be needed.

Lengor further highlighted the work of the Institutional and Policy Coordination Board (IPCB), including initiatives being supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

He called for continued cooperation between the IPCB and other institutions involved in governance and justice-sector reforms.

The Minister specifically encouraged closer collaboration with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Office of the Medical Examiner and other relevant institutions to advance ongoing reforms.

He noted that many of the challenges confronting the internal affairs and justice and security sectors require coordinated responses rather than isolated institutional interventions.

The call for stronger inter-agency cooperation comes as government continues efforts to improve institutional performance, strengthen accountability and enhance the delivery of public services.

During the meeting, heads of agencies presented updates on their respective achievements, ongoing programmes and institutional activities.

The presentations provided an opportunity for agencies to outline progress made in implementing their mandates, while also drawing attention to challenges affecting their operations.

The discussions also highlighted the importance of maintaining effective communication between agencies to prevent duplication of efforts and ensure that available resources are used efficiently.

Minister Lengor’s directive is expected to place greater emphasis on planning, budgeting and measurable results across agencies under the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The introduction of fortnightly coordination meetings will also provide a structured mechanism for monitoring progress and addressing issues that may require intervention at ministerial level.

The Minister urged agency heads to take ownership of the new approach and ensure that their respective institutions remain focused on their core responsibilities.

He reiterated the need for transparency, accountability and adherence to the rule of law, stressing that institutional performance should ultimately translate into improved services for the public.

The meeting ended with a renewed emphasis on collaboration, practical planning and results-oriented governance as agencies prepare their respective one-month and one-year costed action plans.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs is expected to use the plans as a basis for tracking institutional priorities, evaluating performance and strengthening coordination among agencies operating within the justice and security sector.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 12th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)