The head of Liberia’s delegation to Freetown, Sierra Leone, Deputy Minister of Children and Social Protection, Hon. Garmai Tokpah, has reaffirmed Liberia’s dedication to restoring the dignity of children in street situations, highlighting President Joseph N. Boakai’s strong commitment to supporting the Ministry’s efforts in addressing conditions that pose challenges to rescuing children from the streets. She expressed appreciation for the experience-sharing opportunity with her Sierra Leonean counterparts, pledging to carefully consider the valuable insights and information gathered during the discussions.
Madam Tokpah iterated that the launch of the Street Child Project titled “Support A Child, Save The Future” is a testament to Liberia’s unwavering commitment to addressing the plight of children in street situations. She emphasized that this initiative reflects the government’s dedication to creating a safer and more supportive environment for all children, ensuring that every child has access to education, protection, and the opportunity to thrive.
She further highlighted that the project aligns with national and international efforts to safeguard children’s rights and is a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of poverty, neglect, and exploitation faced by children living on the streets.
She called for collective action from all stakeholders, including regional partners so as to ultimately secure a brighter future for the next generation.
The delegation was engaged in productive discussions yesterday with officials from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The meeting focused on shared concerns and strategies for enhancing the welfare of children, particularly those living in street situations.
The South-South Exchange visit, taking place from September 3rd to September 7th, 2024, is being organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MGCA) of Sierra Leone, with support from UNICEF Liberia and UNICEF Sierra Leone. This initiative is part of the commitments made during the Day of the African Child (DAC) celebrations, with the overarching goal of strengthening child rights advocacy in both countries. The visit offers an important opportunity for the children of Liberia and Sierra Leone to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and learn from each other. For his part, UNICEF’s lead-Rep on the delegation, Sam K. Mensah, reiterated the partnership that seeks to provide a healthier space and vibrant community for children. Mr. Mensah applauded the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Gender, and the Children Forum Network of Sierra Leone for the warm reception as well as their willingness to share their experiences. He said, UNICEF is very proud to support the South-South Exchange program.
In a further demonstration of commitment to collaborative efforts, the Liberia National Children Representative Forum and the Children’s Forum Network of Sierra Leone have already held discussions on several key practices, strategies, and lessons learned in child rights advocacy.
The Liberian delegation continued its engagement today in Freetown with courtesy visits to key child-focused organizations, including PLAN International, Save the Children Sierra Leone, UNICEF, and the National Commission of Children (NCC) Sierra Leone, to further strengthen collaboration and explore effective ways to address the challenges facing children in street situations in both countries.
Additionally, the delegation met with the Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone yesterday, where they received a heartfelt reception from Ambassador Amb. Nynemah Lavela Von Ballmoos and her team at the embassy.
For further information, please contact:
Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection
Communications Office
WhatsApp: +231886924412
Email: webstercassell@gmail.com
