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The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) on Monday convened a high-level Development Assistance Coordination (DAC) meeting with child protection partners to discuss preparations for the 2026 Day of the African Child celebrations, with a strong focus on improving access to water, sanitation and hygiene for children across Sierra Leone.
The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry’s Children’s Directorate, including Acting Director of Children’s Affairs Daniel Albert Gbow, Deputy Director Mrs. Aminata Kargbo, Deputy Chief Director Marian Goodie Sowonie, Laura Koroma, and representatives from several child-focused development organizations.
This year’s commemoration will be held under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.”
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry, Acting Director Daniel Albert Gbow outlined a series of activities and strategic engagements aimed at strengthening child protection advocacy and enhancing collaboration among stakeholders nationwide.
According to Mr. Gbow, the celebrations will feature regional and national children’s conferences that will provide opportunities for children to discuss issues affecting their wellbeing and propose solutions to challenges confronting them.
He further disclosed that discussions surrounding the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) election process will also form part of the conference activities, enabling children to present their concerns and recommendations while stakeholders make commitments toward advancing child protection initiatives across the country.
“This is where children will be given the opportunity to present their outcomes and where stakeholders will pledge their commitments towards protecting children across the country,” Mr. Gbow stated.
He also stressed the importance of engaging the media through television and radio discussion programmes to increase public awareness on issues affecting children, particularly vulnerable groups, while promoting child welfare and protection.
“This is where grassroots communities will be leveraged to listen to the concerns of children,” he added.
Representing Her Future Foundation, Ariefa B. Kamara outlined the organization’s proposed activities for the commemoration. He said the programmes would focus on creating platforms for children to engage in discussions on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), gender-based violence, climate change, advocacy campaigns, and the promotion of hygienic facilities in rural communities, especially in Koinadugu and Falaba districts.
Deputy Chief Director Marian Goodie Sowonie emphasized the importance of ensuring children’s access to clean and safe drinking water, particularly in rural and underserved communities where children remain vulnerable to abuse and exploitation.
Other participants at the meeting also called for stronger collaboration and coordinated initiatives among stakeholders to ensure a successful and impactful commemoration of the Day of the African Child.
The meeting ended with a unanimous commitment from stakeholders to use the occasion as a platform to promote child rights and advocate for sustainable access to clean and safe water at both national and district levels.
