By Kelfala Kargbo
Freetown, 10th April 2026- Stakeholders that support children in street situations have made an urgent call to the Economic Community of West Africa parliament for them to make cross-border laws that will safeguard the rights of children in the street.
The gathering, which was ECOWAS parliament’s public hearing held in Freetown, brought together lawmakers, stakeholders and children in the street situation to directly engage with and listen to the first-hand experiences of the children in the street situation through their representative Non-Governmental Organisations, while recommending laws that would safeguard their lives and rights.
Emotional gestures filled the atmosphere as the Founder of Laughter Africa, James Tyrell, made his presentation on behalf of the children in the street situation that he supports.
Tyrell expressed that he knew over 30 children in street situations who had lost their lives in the street, saying that they lost seven last year because of Kush, a synthetic substance claiming the lives of many in Sierra Leone.
Tyrell highlighted several challenges that lead children to the street. Among these, he says, is informal fostering parents locally known as ‘men pikin’, who often subject the children to labour and exploitation in the homes.
“Instead of schooling, they are made to be salves, to sell and to be domestic workers,” he said, highlighting that it is the biggest factor for street children in Sierra Leone.
The children, he expressed, are mostly prone to sexual exploitation – from both boys and girls – and abuse, teenage pregnancy, sexual exploitation, stigma and discrimination, saying that the children see ‘death and silence’ every day.
“I only want ECOWAS to listen to the children’s voices and hear their stories,” he urged.
A few children in the street situation shared in what they described as ‘dark experiences’ in the street, with many reflecting on the abuses they suffered.
They urged ECOWAS to make laws that would guarantee free healthcare, repeal of Loitering laws and access to education.
Founder and Director of St. George’s Foundation, Justina Conteh, pointed out that most children in the street are stateless, as they lack documentation to secure national documents, urging ECOWAS to make four commitments, which include regional strategy, review of Loitering laws, provision of healthcare and education and legal identity for children in the street situation.
Members of parliament present made their commitments in addressing the issues identified by stakeholders.
Head of Sierra Leonean Delegation of the ECOWAS parliament, Hon. Veronica Sesay, told the children that the name ‘street child’ does not make them less, saying they have the potential to be future leaders.
Hon. Manuel Nascimenio from Guinea-Bissau called for data to be collected to know the number of children in the street situation across member states in the region, which, according to him, will inform decision-making.
In closing, Hon. Sesay assured stakeholders and the children that their concerns will be conveyed to the Plenary, after which they will engage in parliament and come up with results.
