Sierra Leonean student appeals to President Bio for enactment of revised Child Rights Act

Kofi Roberts, a student attending Sierra Leone Grammar School in SSS 1 (Science 2), recently made an appeal to President Julius Maada Bio regarding the delay in enacting the revised Child Rights Act. In an interview on Tuesday 11th April, 2023, Roberts expressed his concerns about the delay and the impact it is having on the children of Sierra Leone.

Roberts believes that the revised Child Rights Act is crucial for the protection of children in Sierra Leone, as it provides protection against all forms of abuse, including corporal punishment, domestic and sexual violence, and other inhuman and indecent abuse. He stated that passing this Act into law would pave the way for a better and more prosperous future for the children of Sierra Leone.

During the interview, Roberts made a plea to Members of Parliament, especially those in the Child Welfare Committee, to pass the revised Child Rights Act into law. He also called on President Julius Maada Bio to use his power to address the plight facing children in Sierra Leone, and to encourage MPs to prioritize passing the Act.

Director of Youth and Children Advocacy Network (YACAN), Hassan Fuad Kanu, explained the reasons behind the review of the Child Right Act and its current stage. According to Kanu, YACAN and other CSOs realized in 2016 that there were serious gaps in the Child Rights Act of 2007, which needed to be addressed to better protect the rights of children in Sierra Leone. From 2016 to 2018, they worked to raise awareness of these issues and make progress towards reviewing the relevant parts of the Act. Currently, the Bill is with the Legislative Committee.

Kanu also urged MPs to pass the revised legislation into law, stressing the importance of making the lives of children in Sierra Leone safer and more secure. Passing the revised Child Rights Act into law would be a significant step towards protecting the rights of children in Sierra Leone and ensuring their future prosperity.

In conclusion, it is crucial that the revised Child Rights Act is passed into law to protect the children of Sierra Leone from all forms of abuse. The government should prioritize the passing of this Act and work towards ensuring that the rights of children are protected and upheld.