Women in the Media Sierra Leone President and entrepreneur Estina Taylor-Tucker has raised concerns over the what she describes as a cumbersome NGO renewal process, warning that administrative delays are hindering local organizations from accessing funding and effectively serving communities.
Drawing from her organization’s recent experience, Taylor-Tucker said the current system requires NGOs to submit similar documentation to several institutions, creating unnecessary duplication, increased costs, and prolonged delays.
She explained that the renewal process began with the Ministry of Gender, where her organization completed application forms, submitted supporting documents, and responded to multiple rounds of reviews and amendments before eventually receiving a Service Level Agreement.
Following approval at the ministry, the organization proceeded to the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organizations (SLANGO), where it was required to provide a range of compliance documents, including staff and board member lists, annual reports, audited financial statements, and clearance certificates from both the National Revenue Authority (NRA) and the National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT).
Although the organization successfully secured certification from SLANGO, Taylor-Tucker said many of the same documents had to be submitted again to the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), resulting in further delays.
She added that NGOs are also required to obtain certification from the Freetown City Council, a stage she described as particularly challenging due to repeated visits, lengthy waiting periods, and delays in obtaining forms and approvals.
According to Taylor-Tucker, recent requirements for police clearance certificates have introduced yet another layer of administrative procedures and expenses.
She estimated that organizations can spend more than Le15,000 completing the renewal process, while also committing considerable time and resources that could otherwise be directed toward community programs.
Questioning the efficiency of the current framework, Taylor-Tucker argued that government agencies should consider adopting a centralized digital system that would allow institutions to access and verify compliance records without repeatedly requesting the same information from NGOs.
While emphasizing the importance of accountability and regulatory oversight, she maintained that efficiency should remain a key consideration, especially for smaller community-based organizations operating with limited resources.
Taylor-Tucker revealed that delays in obtaining updated certification recently cost her organization an opportunity to secure grant funding that would have supported its annual activities.
She explained that her organization initiated its Community-Based Organization registration process with the Freetown City Council in January and submitted all required documents. However, the certificate was not issued until May 2, several months after a grant application deadline in February had already passed.
“We missed it because the system took too long,” she said, noting that many local organizations face similar challenges when attempting to meet donor timelines and funding requirements.
She also expressed concern over perceptions that administrative procedures can sometimes be accelerated through personal connections, stressing that public institutions should operate transparently and equitably for all citizens.
Despite her concerns, Taylor-Tucker acknowledged the efforts of individual public servants who provide support and guidance to organizations seeking compliance.
Nevertheless, she maintained that the overall process remains slow and fragmented, placing an unnecessary burden on local NGOs.
“Local NGOs are not asking for special treatment,” she said. “We are asking for a system that allows us to spend less time chasing certificates and more time serving communities.”
She warned that prolonged delays in certification can have far-reaching consequences, including missed funding opportunities, postponed development projects, and delayed assistance for vulnerable communities that depend on NGO support.