The Freetown City Council (FCC) in collaboration with the National Commission for children (NCC), the ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGCA) and other partners on Friday 24^th April, 2015 held a one day consultative meeting with Market Women Associations and Councilors at the FCC hall in Freetown aimed at getting children off the streets of Freetown.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mayor of Freetown City Council Mr. Franklin Bode Gibson said the number of children on the streets and those who died during the Ebola period is quite alarming. This he attributed to the lackadaisical attitudes of parents towards their children which he said is not a good sign for the development of the country which is largely dependent on children as the future leaders. “It was on that basis that I called a lot of Child protection organizations to help salvage the situation but none showed any willingness or commitment to help except the National Commission for Children” commented Mayor Gibson.

He expressed the Council’s determination to interpret the laws to the fullest and warned all to care for their children adding that the FCC is working in collaboration with other partners including the SLP, The FSU, NCC, MSWGCA and others to ensure that those who mistreat or neglect their children are arrested and dealt with accordingly. Mayor Gibson implored all sierra Leoneans to show readiness for change as the country is working towards the agenda for prosperity.

Commissioner of the National Commission for Children, Mrs. Olayinka Laggah said the main priority of the NCC is to ensure that all children in Sierra Leone are safe, they grow well and have opportunities to develop to their fullest potentials adding that everyone including the parents, the state, the communities and even the children themselves have a role to play to achieve this.

She also reiterated that the number of children on the streets is too high as some stay there as their homes whilst others go there to trade and return home later. She emphasized that no child should work at night and only light work is allowed for children aged 13 years.

Mrs. Laggah adviced all sierra Leoneans to abide by the different laws governing children so as to help put a stop to children living or selling on the streets.

Director of Children’s Affairs of the MSWGCA Madam Kadija Buya Kamara said the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s affairs and other partners are determined to wage a war against defaulters who want to stand in the way of children growing up well. She said all Sierra Leoneans have individual as well as collective

responsibilities to ensure that children grow well.

Madam Kamara appealed to people who take children with hopes of caring for them to ensure that they are treated well. “Children are our future and the future lies in our hands” she concluded.

Acting National Administrative officer of the Family Support Unit Ms. Audrey Rita Cole said the FSU is always there to protect the rights of children. She noted that in 2014, the institution launched “Operation Dawn” to ensure that children are removed from the streets during school hours and at night which she said was short lived due to the Ebola pandemic. She disclosed that the institution also had plans to launch “Operation Dusk” which would entail night raids at entertainment centers including bars, guest houses, restaurants, night clubs as negative behaviours in such places are contributing factors to the high rates of sexual abuse, teenage pregnancy, school dropout and a host of other negative things the children particularly girls are exposed to. She advised all to report any cases of child abuse to the FSU.

Various meaningful contributions and suggestions were proffered by Councilors and Market women who all expressed their joy and willingness to get these children off the streets of the municipality.

 

The meeting was chaired by Mr. Sylvester Thomas (RTF) and the vote of thanks was rendered by the Deputy Mayor of the FCC who described children as “our heritage and tomorrow’s leaders”.

Figure 5: A cross section of participants at the consultative dialogue.