By Josephine Sesay
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening national security and inter-agency collaboration by hosting this week’s edition of the Fortnightly Inter-Agency Meeting at its Gloucester Street headquarters in Freetown.
The initiative, now operating on a rotational host format among the nine institutions under the Ministry’s supervision, has become a cornerstone of coordinated governance in Sierra Leone’s internal security sector.
Deputy Secretary Catherine H. Kekura opened the session by welcoming participants and introducing the newly appointed Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. David Fortune, to the heads of participating agencies. Institutions in attendance included the Sierra Leone Police, National Civil Registration Authority, Sierra Leone Correctional Service, National Fire Force, Immigration Department, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Independent Police Complaints Board, and the National Commission on Arms and Ammunition.
Chairing the meeting, Deputy Minister Fortune expressed gratitude for the warm reception and outlined his new responsibilities, which include overseeing the monitoring of performance contracts across all agencies a strategic step aimed at boosting institutional effectiveness and accountability.
“My role is to support the Minister, Rtd AIG Morie Lengor Esq., and work closely with all nine agencies to ensure the safety and security of every citizen,” Fortune said. This meeting represents more than a reporting session; it is a space for problem-solving, collaboration, and strategic alignment.
He further emphasized the importance of the forum in advancing the government’s Big Five Game Changers agenda under the national theme, The New Direction: Consolidating Gains and Accelerating Transformation. The Ministry, he said, remains committed to performance-based governance, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
During the session, participants shared updates on institutional activities, highlighted challenges, and identified areas requiring support. Discussions focused on building a security and service-delivery framework that is both people-centered and results-driven.
Heads of agencies welcomed the Deputy Minister and pledged to continue working in close collaboration to strengthen coordination and deliver on shared national priorities. They underscored their collective commitment to setting clear goals, executing effectively, and maintaining robust inter-agency support systems.
The Fortnightly Inter-Agency Meetings will continue on a rotational basis, serving as a model of collaborative public-sector leadership and reinforcing efforts to build a safer and more secure Sierra Leone.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,18th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
