September 17, 2021
By: Morlai Gbla (Kambia)
Sea trading is the commonest occupation for women living in Mambolo Chiefdom and other towns surrounding the Great Scarcies River in Kambia district. It is the daily activity for women in Mambolo Chiefdom and starts every day at 8am and end at 7pm in the evening hours.
These traders include women and school going pupils. One of the most challenging part of sea trading in Mambolo Chiefdom sellers is the fact sellers will get into the water whenever a boat arrives from the surrounding towns and villages. They try to persuade customers to buy their goods. They will thus get wet for the rest of the day which has serious health implication.
According to Kadiatu Bangura a petty trader at Mambolo wharf, it is really difficult and challenging for them as traders especially during the rainy season. Kadiatu also explained that she usually spent 10-12 hours daily inside the water just to find a living. She also made mention about the MUNAFA which they could not benefit from. She is pleading with stakeholders of Mambolo Chiefdom to help provide them with resources so that they will stop the sea trading because it is hazardous to their their health.
Petty traders in mambolo Chiefdom continue to call on the Government of Sierra Leone and other organizations dealing with women empowerment to help support children and women doing sea trading in Mambolo Chiefdom.