By Edward Vamboi
As June 16th is recognized as the Day of the African Child to reflect on the killing of over eight thousand children in South Africa, who lost their lives in order to gain Freedom, the Kids Radio Network, an independent media platform that helps in propagating and advocating for the rights and liberty of children in Sierra Leone, commemorated the day with its global theme, ”Implementation of Agenda 2040 for an Africa fit for children”.
The commemoration took place at the Kids Radio Network Office on Circular Road in Freetown.
According to the Proprietor and Board Chairman of Kids Radio Network, Andrew Koroma, the day is set aside since the African Child Rights Act was enacted and ratified by the African Union by sending it to different countries to be domesticated. He said there have been several agendas to mark the day, the next shifted to 2040.
Andrew Koroma revealed how they have been tasked with the challenge and commitment to always stay nurture children maintaining that the agenda shifted to 2040 will not warrant them to relax.
He underscored that the commemoration is a way to remind the generation of their obligation to children especially to symbolize Sarafina in the South African scenario where children fought for their liberty.
He said they are also observing the celebration in order for children to become aware of their rights, how they are to be treated in society and to become true assets in society instead of becoming liabilities.
Eva Bernadette Thomas, the Marketing Manager at Kids Radio Network, disclosed that the news medium is recognized as the first children media platform that had been advocating for the rights of children in Sierra Leone since 2003. She stated that they thought it fit to bring children together in order to recognize the massive destruction of innocent lives.
She added that they organized the celebration to allow children to feel free in order to express their emotions on radio as they all the time focus their attention on the Sexual Offenses Act and teach them about the Child Rights Act also disclosing how they have invited the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) to discuss more about the implications of corruption.
Eva Thomas encouraged talented children to join Kids Radio Network to spread the message about sexual offenses and also the Child Rights Act which, she said, will be of great assistance to them in the future.
Tenneh Kargbo, a Child Broadcaster, Producer and Advocate for Kids Radio Network disclosed that they are indeed happy to commemorate the unforgettable incident that occurred in South Africa adding that the day is not a day to celebrate but a day to reflect on children who lost their lives to gain black freedom.
She explained that Kids Radio Network every year goes out on the streets to interact with children and give them their own support to remember the memorable day. Tenneh continued that because of the COVID pandemic they decided to observe social distancing as well as the other related protocols.
Tenneh Kargbo disclosed that through Kids Radio children from all walks of life will gain a lot because of the educative messages they are putting out relating to their rights maintaining that the beneficiaries will also teach other children out there to become aware of their rights and responsibilities in society on how they can be helpful to their different communities.
