Bampia James Bundu
Gender and children’s affairs ministry has signed a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) with Plan International Sierra Leone on the latter’s annual work plan. Director of children’s affairs, Mariatu Bangura, said she was very delighted to witness the signing of a MOU, noting that it would help the ministry to do its work effectively. She said Plan International Sierra Leone had consented to rehabilitate the national training centre of the ministry in Bo, saying it was a laudable gesture. Bangura maintained child focused organisation was also going to provide a ‘Mini Bus’ to transport juveniles who are in conflict with the law and also provide a ‘child help line’ to make them proactive. Country Director Plan International Sierra Leone, Augustin Allieu, said they were happy to sign a 12-month work plan and an MOU with the ministry, adding that they already had an agreement with the government. He however noted that the 12-month work plan would give them the opportunity to map out the roles and responsibilities of the two institutions. “Child protection and welfare of children and women are our sole responsibility. We work in partnership with the ministry and the government to achieve such goals”, Allieu said and called on government to collaborate with them in actualizing their programmes across the country. He explained that the training centre would help the ministry train more social workers across the country and beef up the work of the ministry. Minister of children’s affairs, Moijue Kaikai,said they had looked for ways and means to revive the training centre but with support from Plan they should be able to actualize their goals. He assured he would ensure the proper implementation of the work plan.
