Promoting the welfare and development of children was the central theme being celebrated in Nimba County on 16 June as political and traditional leaders from across the country gathered together with children to mark the Day of the African Child.

Delivering the keynote address at the ceremony was the Speaker of the Liberia National Children Representative Forum, Faustina Gongbah, who appealed to the National Traditional Council of Chiefs and elders to do away with harmful cultural practices that are obstacles to the growth and development of children.

Gender and Development Minister Julia Duncan Cassell also called for collective efforts from development partners in promoting the wellbeing of children in Liberia.
“Thirteen years ago, in Soweto, South Africa, hundreds of black children were killed by their own government because they were advocating for their rights to be taught in their language,” said Cassell. She said the Day of the African Child is celebrated “in recognition of this sad event and an attempt to never allow a repeat of Soweto incident.”

The ceremony was also marked by a colourful parade of over 500 children, including students from schools across Sanniquellie, representatives from Liberia’s fifteen counties, and children with disabilities, who walked together through the streets of Nimba County, which is known to be the birthplace of the Organization of African Unity (today’s African Union).

Meanwhile, in Monrovia, students were invited to take over the airwaves of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) Radio station for the day. To encourage and empower youth to have a greater voice in society, these students took on the roles of news anchors and talk show hosts on popular radio programmes such as “Dateline Liberia.”

“This is our day, today,” said Noleysa Smart, one of the 12-year-old girls who was excited to be on UNMIL Radio. “It is the day for children to speak around the continent of Africa.”

Weatta Wesseh, 15, agreed saying, “Today is important because it educates we the children to know more about our rights, and for us to get our own rights.”
Raymond Zarbay, a Producer with UNMIL Radio, was one of the people who worked with the children before they went on air.

“We find that the kids are very interested in journalism. They are asking so many questions,” he said. “As journalists of the future, it helps to develop children.”

The Day of the African Child was instituted by the OAU in Abuja in June 1990 to commemorate the massacre of hundreds of black South African school children who had been protesting the apartheid regime in 1976. This year’s theme was, “Our Collective Responsibility in Eliminating Harmful Social and Cultural Practices Affecting Children in Liberia.”