By Foday Moriba Conteh
The Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare has on Monday 29th April, 2024 concluded its National Social Work Conference 2024 on the theme: “A National Conversation on the Regulation of Social Work Practice Education and Ethical Standards in Sierra Leone”. The conference, which brought together practitioners, educators, stakeholders, students etc. was held at the Tunde Cole Auditorium on Fourah Bay College Campus in Freetown.
Welcoming the assembly, Abdul Kamara, Head of the Department of Sociology and Social Work at Fourah Bay College, described the conference as pivotal for advancing the regulation of social work practice, education and ethical standards within the country.
He emphasized the profession’s significant relevance, especially during challenging periods such as the Ebola outbreak, COVID-19 pandemic, and the Mudslide crisis. Abdul Kamara underscored the necessity for regulation, highlighting its importance in maintaining standards and effectiveness within the field.
Musa Maurice M. Kargbo, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers, delivered a statement on behalf of Dr. Oluwatoni Adeleke, President of the International Federation of Social Workers Africa Region, at the Sierra Leone National Social Workers Conference 2024.
Addressing esteemed colleagues at the conference, which focused on shaping social work standards in Sierra Leone, Musa Maurice M. Kargbo emphasized the importance of elevating the profession of social work. He highlighted the noble mission of social work in helping individuals and communities overcome challenges, noting that the profession is often undervalued despite its crucial role.
He stressed the need to raise standards in social work across the continent, particularly in light of the numerous social challenges facing African countries also outlining key areas for improvement, including education, professional development and self-care for social workers.
In terms of education, Musa Maurice M. Kargbo advocated for high-quality social work programs that provide graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in their communities. He emphasized the importance of incorporating local cultures and customs into social work training.
Regarding professional development, Vice President of the Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers underscored the need for ongoing training and support for social workers to stay abreast with best practices and emerging issues in the field. He highlighted the importance of workshops, conferences and mentorship programs in that regard.
Finally, the Vice President emphasized the importance of self-care for social workers, acknowledging the emotional and physical demands of the profession. He stressed the need for social workers to prioritize their own well-being to ensure they can continue to provide effective care for their clients.
Musa Maurice M. Kargbo expressed gratitude to the Government of Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Social Welfare and UNICEF-Sierra Leone for their efforts in standardizing social work in the country. He called for continued collaboration among Government officials, NGOs, community leaders and social workers to develop and implement strategies for elevating social work standards in Sierra Leone.
Representing the United Nations Resident Coordinator, Seraphine Wakens, and joined by Senior Human Rights Adviser, Uchenna Emelonye, expressed gratitude to the Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers and the Ministry of Social Welfare for organizing the conference.
Uchenna Emelonye noted that April 29th, 2024, marked a UN holiday, yet due to the UN’s profound regard for social workers, attendance at the conference was mandated.
Highlighting the versatility of social work backgrounds within the UN’s various sectors, Emelonye emphasized the fortunate position of students pursuing social work, given its broad scope.
He underscored that social work, as a practice-based discipline, is subject to licensing and procedural regulations in other countries. Uchenna Emelonye stressed the conference’s significance in initiating a national dialogue on regulating social work practice, education and ethical standards in Sierra Leone.
The German Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Ambassador Jens Kraus-Massé, also commended the Sierra Leone Association of Social Workers and its partners for their initiative, highlighting the longstanding diplomatic relations between Sierra Leone and Germany, which have endured since independence, with both countries set to celebrate 63 years of diplomatic ties.
Emphasizing the core of their collaboration on development policies and societal empowerment, Ambassador Kraus-Massé stressed that the empowerment of social workers forms the cornerstone of societal progress.
He underscored the indispensable role of social workers in any nation, describing social work as one of the most challenging professions globally.
In her keynote addressing, the Minister of Social Welfare, Honourable Melrose Karminty, said the conference aimed to regulate social work practice, education and ethical standards in the country, underscoring the importance of a strengthened social workforce in addressing issues affecting vulnerable groups and connecting them with essential services.
Highlighting the significant contributions of social workers, particularly during crises such as the Ebola outbreak, mudslides and the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Karminty praised their dedication and resilience. Social workers have played a vital role in providing support services, including gender-based violence intervention, juvenile assistance, and rehabilitation efforts for substance abuse, she maintained.
The Minister also discussed ongoing initiatives to strengthen the social welfare workforce, including curriculum revisions, capacity-building programs, and the development of a social workers regulatory bill. The proposed bill aims to formalize social work practice in Sierra Leone, establish a national council for social workers, and set standards for professional conduct.
In closing, the Minister urged universities to adopt the harmonized social work curriculum, emphasizing the importance of specialization in social work education and called for professionalism and diligence in delivering services to vulnerable populations. She expressed confidence that through education, professionalism and support services, social workers can effect positive change in the Sierra Leonean society.
Other speakers, including Kelfa Kargbo, Country Director of Street Child Sierra Leone, and Joseph J. Senessie, Acting Director of Human Resources at the Sierra Leone Correctional Service, delivered salient statements. This was followed by presentations: David Lamin discussed the draft Social Work Regulatory Bill, while Prof. Alfred A. Jarrett, Ph.D., a lecturer at the Social Work Department of Fourah Bay College, addressed Social Work Ethical Standards.
The ceremony reached its climax with the presentation of awards. Two outstanding graduating students from the Social Work Department at Fourah Bay College were honored, alongside other stakeholders and institutions, including the Minister of Social Welfare, Honourable Melrose Karminty, and Prof. Alfred A. Jarrett, Ph.D., Lecturer at the Social Work Department of Fourah Bay College.
