By: Marian Magdalene Bangura
The National Commission for Children (NCC) has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to promoting and protecting the rights and welfare of children across Sierra Leone. This was highlighted during the government’s weekly press briefing held at the Miatta Conference Centre, hosted by the Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah.
Addressing the media, government officials, and stakeholders, Commissioner Madam Joyce Wuya Tejan-Kella expressed deep gratitude to His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for prioritizing children’s issues in national development.
“We know the President has done so much for the children of this country, and I will personally explain these efforts to them when we meet this Thursday,” she stated.
Commissioner Tejan-Kella praised recent policy decisions, including free ferry rides for schoolchildren in uniform and the provision of a dedicated government school bus initiatives championed by the Ministry of Transport and Aviation. She emphasized that transportation policies are deeply connected to child welfare.
“Even though transport may seem far removed from child welfare, it is directly linked. Every sector must consider how its policies affect children,” she said.
The Commissioner used the platform to raise public awareness about the NCC an institution many citizens may not yet fully understand. Established by an Act of Parliament in 2007 and fully operational since 2014, the NCC envisions “a Sierra Leone where children are safe, heard, and valued.”
Aligned with international frameworks such as the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) and the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Commission’s mission is to ensure children are active participants in decisions that affect them.
“Gone are the days when decisions were made for children without consulting them,” she said.
Commissioner Tejan-Kella outlined the NCC’s work, which is anchored on four main mandates:
The NCC ensures child-related policies are coordinated across all ministries, departments, and agencies. “Children’s issues are cross-cutting from education to health to transportation.”
This includes advocacy around child marriage, parental responsibilities, and the minimum age for recruitment. The Commission advises the government on strengthening child welfare systems.
The NCC regularly engages with ministries to push for child-sensitive planning. Recalling past crises like Ebola and COVID-19, the Commissioner noted how the Commission advocated for child-friendly spaces and decongested juvenile remand homes. A major milestone in the Commission’s work is its newly granted investigative authority, following a recent review of the 2008 Act.
“This means we can now investigate complaints and monitor how cases are resolved ensuring accountability,” the Commissioner noted.
In her closing remarks, Commissioner Tejan-Kella emphasized that children are not just future leaders, but citizens of today, deserving immediate attention and care.
“Their voices, needs, and rights must be central to our national agenda,” she urged.
She extended appreciation to the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Transport, development partners, and civil society organizations for their continued collaboration. She called on all sectors to integrate child-focused planning into their programs and policies.
The National Commission for Children is a statutory body established under the Child Rights Act of 2007, and operational since 2014. It is mandated to monitor, promote, and coordinate the implementation of laws and policies that protect and empower children. The Commission operates in line with both national priorities and international treaties to ensure that every child in Sierra Leone grows up safe, supported, and heard.