"Fight For The Right And Dignity Of Children" … VP Foh

Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone Victor BockarieFoh has called on all Sierra Leoneans to fight for the right and dignity of children in the country. 

He made this called in Kambia, the northern district of the country during the commemoration of 41st Day of the African Child that was organised by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs in collaboration with its international and local partners.

Vice President Foh expressed government's commitment in protecting and upholding the right and dignity of children at all levels. He described the local theme for this year's celebration as timely, stating that it's time for all to come together and fight for the right and dignity of children across the country.

The government, he said has done a lot in protecting the welfare of children for them to have a brighter future, describing the efforts of parents and guardians towards children as very vital.

The theme for this year's celebration is" The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development for Children in Africa: Accelerating Protection, Empowerment and Equal Opportunity"

The ceremony attracted distinguished personalities from across the country and thousands of school going pupils from the district.

In his welcome address the Paramount Chief of Magbema Chiefdom, PC BaiFarmaTassBubuN'gbak, expressed appreciation to the Ministry for choosing his district for this year's celebration, noting that the year 1976 will forever remain in the hearts of children across the world because of the massacre that befell thousands of children in South Africa.

The Paramount Chief appealed to children to use the day as a reflection on their past and urged the government to accelerate a means to help them achieve their desired goals.

He called on parents and guardians to encourage their children to focus on education, explaining that education is the backbone towards any country's development.

Speaking on behalf of UNICEF, Mr. Geoff Wiffin, disclosed that Sierra Leone has taken some important steps in the past years, citing the government's launch of the Africa Union campaign on ending child marriage in August 2016 and the involvement of children in the preparation of state budget in the county.

He said the local theme: 'join han for Make SalonePikinBetehTay Go', meaning "It's time for all stakeholders at all levels from state actors to communities to come together and find solution to end violation against children rights, be it teenage pregnancy, child marriage, Sexual and Gender Base Violence, or lack of access to education and health services.

He assured all of his organizations continued support to the government and the Ministry in ensuring issues of children get the appropriately attention from the relevant authorities.

Chairman Parliamentary Committee on Social Welfare, Hon Hassan A. Sesay, appealed to parents and guardians not to allow their girl child to be engaged in early marriage or force them into early mirage.

He maintained that early marriage is an added burden on families and a deterrent to government efforts in developing the country's educational system.

He however revealed that the domestication of the Child Right Act of 2007 will give children the right to education, better health-care services and friendly environment for them to live.

He maintained that children have been given the right to speak for themselves rather than listen to others as an effective and modern means of communication.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Social Welfare, Dr. Sylvia OlayinkaBlyden, the Deputy Minister Mrs. RugiatuNenehKoroma expressed appreciation to the Vice President and other stakeholders for gracing the celebration and commended staff of the Ministry for their role in making the celebration a success.

She maintained that children are blaming elders for giving them out to marriage at an early age simple because stakeholders in their various communities will have their own share (Bora).

The deputy Minister disclosed the Ministry is in constant touch with Sowei across the country as a way of discouraging the initiation of children below the age of 18 years.

She called on the community people to serve as security protecting and monitoring the activities of children, "We always give children the opportunity to participate during our annual budget preparations, for them to have the opportunity to channel their programs and suggest ideas". In the absence of the substantive Minister, the deputy Minister appreciated the children of Kambia and assured them of her Ministry's commitment in upholding the right and dignity of children across the country.

President, Children's Forum Network, Kambia District, Kadijatu Bah, presented a position paper to the Vice President on behalf of children's across the Country urging the government to speedily look into their matter and provide the necessary support.