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The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) convened a strategic meeting on Tuesday with the Joining Forces coalition and key development partners to advance child protection initiatives across Sierra Leone.
The meeting, held under the auspices of MoGCA’s Children’s Directorate, brought together leading child-focused organisations, including SOS Children’s Villages, ChildFund International, and Plan International. The gathering aimed to review ongoing programmes, share insights, and align strategies to address child protection challenges nationwide.
Acting Director of Children’s Affairs, Daniel Albert Gbow, highlighted a series of priority interventions being implemented by the Ministry. He stressed the need to strengthen legal and policy frameworks, citing efforts to roll out and promote key legislation such as the Child Rights Act.
Gbow also pointed to the development of a child-friendly version of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, a project supported by Save the Children, and emphasised the implementation of the Alternative Care Policy, designed to provide structured support for children facing abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
“Our focus is on enhancing protective mechanisms for vulnerable children through the Child Safeguarding Policy and the National Strategy for Children,” Gbow said, noting that limited human resources remain a key constraint affecting service delivery. He added that the Ministry has recently recruited additional personnel to strengthen case management and response services.
Gbow called for targeted capacity-building initiatives for newly recruited protection assistants, particularly in case handling, reporting, and community engagement. He further highlighted the role of the media, including television and radio, in sustaining advocacy and raising awareness of child protection issues at both school and community levels.
The Acting Director also appealed to development partners for logistical support, including case management tools, counselling spaces, and essential materials to improve service delivery within the Children’s Directorate.
Assistant Director, Laura Koroma, emphasised ongoing efforts to strengthen legal and institutional response mechanisms. She noted that a draft policy framework developed through stakeholder consultations is currently undergoing validation ahead of formal adoption.
Representatives of partner organisations praised the Ministry’s leadership and reiterated their commitment to collaboration. The Country Director of ChildFund International, Mr. Kamara, commended MoGCA’s efforts and underscored the importance of coordinated partnerships in delivering effective child protection services.
Similar sentiments were expressed by Muniratu Issifu of Plan International and Dionisio Pereira of SOS Children’s Villages, who called for actionable platforms to address pressing child welfare concerns.
The meeting concluded with a guided tour of the Children’s Directorate, where members of the Joining Forces coalition assessed facilities and identified critical areas needing support to enhance the Ministry’s operational capacity.
The engagement reflects a renewed commitment by the Government and its partners to strengthen coordinated action and build a more resilient child protection system across Sierra Leone.
