By Alfred Koroma
The United Nations Network on Migration, in collaboration with the government through the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, has convened a two-day national consultative workshop aimed at strengthening migration governance.
The workshop is taking place at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown and concludes today.
The event brought together government officials, policymakers, and stakeholders to discuss the development of a Global Compact for Migration (GCM) National Implementation Plan and the establishment of a National Coordination Mechanism on Migration (NCM).
According to Peter Sam-Kpakra, Development Secretary at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, the workshop is a crucial step in aligning Sierra Leone’s migration policies with international best practices. He noted that Sierra Leone became a GCM Champion in November 2023, an initiative designed to address migration challenges while maximizing its economic and developmental benefits.
Sam-Kpakra highlighted that the ministry is pleased to support the GCM initiative in Sierra Leone, emphasizing that migration is not just a global phenomenon but also a deeply personal and national issue. He explained that migration is interwoven with the country’s National Medium-Term Development Plan (NMTDP) 2024-2028, which focuses on job creation, youth empowerment, economic development, and climate change.
In her statement, Pauline Macharia, Officer in Charge of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), disclosed that 2023 was the deadliest year for migrants on international routes, with approximately 68,000 migrant deaths recorded.
“This number is worrisome, and our Sierra Leonean brothers and sisters are taking these dangerous routes,” she stated.
Macharia commended the government’s efforts in addressing migration issues and organizing the workshop, emphasizing that the gathering is timely and necessary.
The UN diplomat also underscored the importance of the GCM, noting that it has proven invaluable in guiding national and collective approaches to migration governance. She encouraged states to integrate the compact into their policy frameworks by establishing robust national implementation plans that respond to the unique needs of their countries.
“These plans should be developed, implemented, and monitored through consultative processes that bring together partners from all sectors,” she added.
Robert Banamwana, Head of the Resident Coordinator’s Office, provided a broader perspective, stating that almost 258 million people worldwide are international migrants. “One out of seven people is a migrant, and one out of every ten migrants is under the age of 18,” he noted.
Banamwana stressed the importance of paying keen attention to vulnerable migrants, such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. Being a migrant already makes one vulnerable, but being a migrant child, a woman, or a person with a disability doubles that vulnerability, he explained.
“When we discuss migration, we need to consider these specific vulnerabilities to ensure that no one is left behind,” he continued. “To achieve this, policymakers must pay special attention to these groups, ensuring their vulnerabilities are addressed.”
