By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) convened a stakeholders’ meeting on Friday, January 17, 2025, at the Ministry of Finance Conference Room to review the progress and challenges of its Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) and Identity Management Strategic Plan (2019–2024). The meeting also marked the beginning of efforts to develop a new strategic plan and Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.
The event brought together key stakeholders, including representatives from Government Ministries, international organizations, development partners such as the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the World Bank.
In his address, NCRA Director General, Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi highlighted the significant strides made in identity management since 2016. He noted that Sierra Leone successfully aligned its operations with United Nations (UN) guidelines and international standards on personal data management, earning widespread recognition across Africa.
“Our integrated CRVS and identity management system sets us apart from many African countries, where these functions remain separate,” the Director General said. He emphasized the importance of implementing the laws enacted in 2016 to sustain compliance with global principles.
The NCRA’s 2019–2024 strategic plan, developed in collaboration with 70 institutions, has guided the Authority’s operations but however, incomplete activities over the five-year period necessitate a renewed strategic direction, he intimated. Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi outlined ongoing consultations with partners, including UNECA, UNICEF and UNFPA, which have secured technical and financial support for the upcoming initiatives.
The Director General also announced that the NCRA, in collaboration with international and local partners, is working on a comprehensive new strategy. This framework aims to strengthen data management, ensure legal identity for all citizens and align with international digital identity laws.
A goodwill message from the UNFPA commended the NCRA for its exceptional leadership and achievements in identity management. The message underscored the importance of CRVS systems in documenting key life events such as births, deaths, marriages and causes of death.
“With an advanced system in place, real-time data provides essential insights into sexual and reproductive health outcomes, maternal mortality and teenage pregnancy trends,” the message noted. The UNFPA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s CRVS initiatives and emphasized the urgency of developing a new strategic plan to enhance national development efforts.
The stakeholders’ meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration in addressing challenges and leveraging opportunities for Sierra Leone’s development. With support from partners and the Government, the NCRA remains committed to its mandate of ensuring efficient and inclusive civil registration and identity management systems.
