Freetown: The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Alhaaji Timothy Musa Kabba, has on the opening of the Sixth Legislature's joint committee meeting made a deeply personal appeal to protect West Africa's most vulnerable children.

According to Sierra Leone News Agency, Minister Kabba addressed visiting ECOWAS parliamentarians and local lawmakers at the Foreign Service Academy, recalling his harrowing personal experience nearly three decades ago when armed factions conscripted him as a child soldier during one of Africa's most brutal conflicts. Kabba stressed that childhood marred by violence creates lifelong consequences and called for urgent action.

The minister's message launched deliberations across five joint committees, focusing on safeguarding children in street situations and addressing child exploitation in the ECOWAS Region. He praised Sierra Leone's Parliament for recent legal victories and highlighted Freetown's historical role as a beacon of hope and liberty. However, he warned that the global situation is deteriorating, with children and women being the primary victims of international instability.

Hon. Veronika Kadie Sesay, head of Sierra Leone's ECOWAS Parliament delegation, emphasized the importance of addressing the plight of children in street situations, which challenges commitments to human rights and social justice. She highlighted Sierra Leone's efforts, including the Revised Child Rights Act 2025 and new initiatives by the Ministry of Social Welfare to support vulnerable children and families.

Hon. Guy Marius Sagna, Chair of the Committee on Public Accounts, spoke about the importance of judging national strength by the treatment of vulnerable groups, particularly children. He called for more focus and action on behalf of children, who cannot advocate for themselves, and praised ECOWAS Parliament's role in easing regional tensions.

Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, Speaker of Sierra Leone's National Assembly, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the need for moral clarity and legislative courage to address systemic issues leading to children living on the streets. He proposed several concrete measures to improve child protection and regional cooperation.

The joint committee deliberations will continue through the week, focusing on translating declarations into actionable regional protocols. For thousands of children living across West Africa's city pavements, the discussions in Freetown aim to bring about meaningful change.