By: Sulaiman Aruna Sesay

Street trading in Sierra Leone has become a major phenomenon in recent years, with many children as young as six years old engaging in it. Children as young as six years old are often seen on the streets of Sierra Leone, selling various items from nuts, plantains, to toys. The problem of street trading has become pervasive in the country, with its roots firmly grounded in poverty.

One of the critical issues surrounding under-age street trading is becoming very alarming and this will create negative effects on their educational pursuit. Street trading compromises children’s education, as they abandon school to trade on the streets to help their families or supplement their meagre income. The majority of these children are not receiving any formal education, which has negatively impacted their future prospects. Consequently, they are more likely to remain unskilled and exacerbate their vulnerability to poverty.

Another significant concern is the hazards and risks that children face on the streets. They are exposed to all manner of dangers, including violence, accidents, and other criminal activities like theft. Some children are even trafficked and dragged into forced labour, exploitation, and sexual abuse. In addition, children who sell on the streets are more vulnerable to infectious diseases due to their exposure to unhygienic environments.

Under-age children street trading is problematic as it undermines child protection laws. In Sierra Leone, the Child Rights Act 2007 prohibits any activities that exploit or abuse children. Street trading, therefore, violates these laws, and the government has not been effective in enforcing them.

Under-age children trading on the streets in Sierra Leone is a complex and distressing issue that requires urgent attention. It poses considerable challenges to the country’s efforts to promote child protection, education, and poverty reduction. The government must take proactive measures to ensure that these children’s rights are protected, including the allocation of resources towards education and poverty reduction programmes. The government must also enforce child labour laws and prosecute those who violate them. The international community must also collaborate with the government of Sierra Leone to address this issue holistically. It is only by concerted efforts by all stakeholders that Sierra Leone’s children will be able to enjoy their rights and live a dignified life.