Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Deputy Leader of Government Business at the Sierra Leone Parliament, Bashiru Silikie, headed a parliamentary delegation to the Africa Child Parliament Forum in Rabat-Morocco, representing the Speaker of Sierra Leone Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas.
The three‐day conference, which will convene from Friday, 21 to 23 November 2025, gathered Members of Parliament (MPs), children’s parliamentarians, and senior officials under the theme: “Children’s Participation in Africa’s Development.”
Delivering his address, Silikie, speaking on behalf of Speaker Thomas, said the forum was an opportunity to move beyond tokenism and embed children’s voices in policy‐making. He highlighted the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child and Agenda 2040 as frameworks that must be matched by concrete action.
He also presented a five‐point action plan aimed at strengthening systems for education, protection, and meaningful participation.
Speaking on education, he called for a shift from building schools to building critical‐thinking skills, improving teacher training, and ensuring universal digital access.
Furthermore, he called for robust legal safeguards against child marriage, labour, trafficking, and violence, and bolstered child‐protection services.
The Deputy Leader also advocated for all to institutionalise children’s parliaments at national and local levels and involve youth in budgeting and planning.
He also requested policymakers to embed child‐sensitive allocations into national budgets for education, health, and climate initiatives, and to also create accountable structures that protect vulnerable children, including girls and those with disabilities.
Additionally, Silikie urged African governments to translate discussions into budgetary lines, legislative reforms, and trained personnel, emphasising that “an educated child is an empowered citizen.” He also thanked host, Princess Lalla Meryem and fellow delegates for their commitment.
The Sierra Leone Parliamentary delegation includes the Deputy Leader of Government Business, Silikie, the Director General of Parliament, Mrs Finda Findosia Fraser, and Bernadette Sourie, Secretary to the delegation.
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