By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) has warmly welcomed Chief Joseph Sunday Sinnah following his election to the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, marking a historic achievement for Sierra Leone.
The celebratory event, held at the Ministry’s headquarters, brought together key officials, including Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi, Deputy Minister Hon. Hindowa Bindi, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Aminata Sannoh, Director of Planning and Policy Ibrahim Kamara, Director of Children’s Affairs Mrs. Joyce Kamara, and other senior officials.
In her keynote address, Minister Mahoi praised Chief Sinnah’s achievement as a major milestone for the country’s child protection efforts. “This victory is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in advocating for child rights in Sierra Leone. We are proud of you and the entire delegation that made this possible,” she said. She reaffirmed MoGCA’s commitment to strengthening child protection policies and ensuring the effective implementation of the Child Rights Act.
Director of Planning and Policy, Ibrahim Kamara, recounted the rigorous election process, which spanned four sessions before Sierra Leone emerged victorious. “It was a tough journey, filled with sleepless nights, but our collective efforts paid off,” he noted.
Director of Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Joyce Kamara, presented a bouquet to Chief Sinnah as a token of appreciation for his remarkable feat. In his acceptance speech, Chief Sinnah expressed gratitude to MoGCA for its unwavering support. “This victory is not just mine but for Sierra Leone as a whole. The Child Rights Act has positioned us on the global stage, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect the rights of children,” he declared.