The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs successfully hosted the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) elections in Pujehun District, marking a significant moment in youth leadership development.

The elections took place at the NACWAC building along Tongay Road, with a wide array of stakeholders, civil society organizations, pupils, and members of the press in attendance.

Five secondary schools participated in the event, including Saint Paul’s Secondary School, Saint Stephen’s Secondary School, Holy Rosary Secondary School, Massam Government Secondary School, and Every Nation Secondary School.

These schools came together to vote for new leadership within CFN, furthering the initiative’s mission to advocate for children’s rights and empower young voices.

During the event, Abdulai Jasil Sillah, the Chief Executive Officer of YARD-SL, called on voters to make well-informed decisions when selecting leaders.

He emphasized that voters should prioritize candidates’ qualifications and abilities over superficial factors such as appearance or financial influence. “Make your choice based on who can best lead and represent the interests of children,” Sillah urged.

Kalilu John Ken Swaray from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs reflected on the importance of CFN, which was established in 2001 in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendations.

He reminded attendees that the CFN’s mission is to advocate for children’s rights, focusing particularly on addressing abuses against girls. “The vision of CFN is for all children to live in dignity and respect,” Swaray stated, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to creating a nurturing environment where children can thrive.

Sallu Fullah, a representative from the Ministry of Social Welfare, expressed gratitude to all those who participated in the election, underscoring CFN’s role as a vital platform for promoting children’s welfare. Mohamed K. Swaray, a commissioner, emphasized CFN’s significance as a space for children to engage with pressing societal issues.

Morison Bockarie, the National Vice President of CFN and the chief commissioner overseeing the elections, announced that four positions were contested: president, vice president, secretary, and public relations officer (PRO). The election saw 585 votes cast, with 522 considered valid and 63 deemed invalid.

The results were as follows:

Hassan Rogers was elected president with 55 votes, defeating Mariama Fortune, who garnered 29 votes.

Alice M. Koroma won the vice presidency with 70 votes, surpassing Edwin M. Feika, who received 9 votes.

Musa Norwah became the new secretary with 57 votes, defeating Princess Sesay, who received 20 votes.

Haja Brima was elected PRO with 53 votes, beating Morice Conteh, who obtained 29 votes.

In his closing remarks, Commissioner Bockarie encouraged the newly elected leaders and all CFN members to collaborate for the continued success and growth of CFN in Pujehun District.

The newly elected leaders expressed their gratitude for the peaceful and transparent election process and promised to represent the interests of their peers with integrity and dedication.

The election marked a vital step in empowering the youth of Pujehun, ensuring that children’s voices are heard and that their rights are fiercely advocated for in the district and beyond.