The Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kellah has disclosed that, President Julius Maada Bio has instructed the Internal Affairs Minister to arrest all those involved in the deaths of five girls in the Bondo Society bush in Kambia and other Districts.

Standard Times reports that the Deputy Minister, Haji Kellah made the disclosure on Tuesday 6th February 2024 during the Commemoration of the Zero Tolerance Day ceremony organized by the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM-SL) Sierra Leone at the Port Loko City.

According to the Minister of Social Welfare, President Bio has also completely banned the underage girl’s initiation in Sierra Leone.

Mohamed Kellah said the President has instructed the Chief Minister to investigate all the deaths and bring the perpetrators to book.

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He furthered that, President Bio has further consented to lead the case of the five deaths until it completion and justice delivered which will set as a deterrent to others.

According to the Minister, the President said he initiated the Free Quality Education Project for all girls to be educated and will not sit by to see people misuse especially women and girls due to harmful traditional practices.

The Minister furthered that the President is now ready to end cruelty in the name of society in Sierra Leone.

In his statement, the Assistance Inspector General (AIG), Mr Manfred Williams has confirmed that they have three deaths of FGM in just North-West Region.

According to the AIG immediately the police received the two deaths report, the police went to the communities and effected arrest as well as sensitize the local in the need to end the practice of subjecting young girls as stated by law.

He said as police have been very robust in the past three month in carrying out their search to remove young girls in the bondo bush.

“We as police we felt very bad for the deaths of the three children and who are future leaders” he said.

AIG William urged the local leaders to desist from subjecting girls into the bondo bush for FGM initiation.

AIG also urged locals in Port Loko District and other communities to report the death cases and those that intend to take girls into Bondo bush for FGM practice.

The Port Loko District Chairman, Sheku Tejan Saccoh in his statement said this is time for action to save the lives of women in the name of society. “Let us stop the talking and move forward and be fast to save the lives of women and girls” he asserted.

Giving the purpose of the ceremony, Madam Rugiatu Neneh Koroma said the Zero Tolerance Day is a day that was chosen by the First Ladies in Africa. She said during their deliberations then, the Africa first ladies considered FGM as dangerous for women and girl’s progress and a practice that kill women and girls.

Madam Koroma said many have died in the society bushes, while others are still in the Bondo bushes which prevent them from attending schools.

She urged parents to abstain from subjecting their daughters to FGM, adding that as an organization they have engaged many groups including traditional leaders, musicians, Soweis, cut and uncut, and artiest across the board to help end the practice of FGM in Sierra Leone.

Madam Koroma furthered that, Port Loko District is the lead advocate to end FGM in the District, adding that the district has initiated the first bloodless rite and asked anyone including politicians to give their commitment to end the practice in Sierra Leone.

She ended that FGM is wrong and bad while asked all relevant authorities to make a change in the country in terms traditions.

However, many representatives from USAID, German Embassy, Irish Aid, local chiefs and Many others to help end FGM in Sierra Leone.