By Alhaji Haruna Sani
With support from the Government of Sweden and the European Union (EU), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), in collaboration with Sierra Leone’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Taskforce, has officially launched a catalytic project aimed at preventing irregular migration and human trafficking.
The inception meeting, held at Lacs Villa Complex off Kingharman Road in Freetown, brought together key stakeholders including government ministries, departments and agencies, civil society organizations, migrant groups, the media, and international partners.
The initiative seeks to tackle the root causes of irregular migration by providing viable alternatives to at-risk communities and increasing public awareness about the dangers of unsafe migration routes.
Sierra Leone continues to face high levels of poverty, unemployment, and limited access to economic opportunities, factors that drive many, especially youth, to attempt perilous journeys to Europe, including Sweden and other EU countries.
The project is designed to counter those challenges through targeted interventions and community empowerment.
In her keynote address, Dr. Pauline Macharia, IOM Head of Mission in Sierra Leone, praised the Government of Sweden for funding the project through the Swedish Ministry of Justice. She highlighted IOM’s commitment to implementing tailored, community-based activities to prevent human smuggling and trafficking.
“The interventions will help us better understand the push factors behind irregular migration and support the sustainable reintegration of returnees,” she explained. “Our goal is to empower communities with the information and resources they need to make informed decisions and reduce reliance on unsafe migration.”
She also emphasized Sierra Leone’s status as a Global Compact for Migration (GCM) champion country, noting its commitment to accelerating GCM implementation and strengthening inter-agency coordination. Strengthening National Migration Governance
Executive Director of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Taskforce, Dehunge Shiaka, underscored the government’s continued efforts to combat human trafficking and migrant smuggling.
“Migrant smuggling is a crime against the state, but we are not here to stop citizens from migrating,” Shiaka stated. “Our role is to ensure that migration happens with dignity and within the law.”
He referenced several government initiatives including the National Labour Migration Policy (2019) and the Anti-Human Trafficking and Migrant Smuggling Act (2022), which replaced the 2005 legislation and now criminalizes migrant smuggling.
Shiaka also noted the importance of social protection platforms, especially in poor and marginalized communities, to reduce the appeal of irregular migration. “We are engaging in micro-level activities to address vulnerability and prevent people from falling into the hands of traffickers,” he said.
Both IOM and the Anti-Trafficking Taskforce reaffirmed their commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach in addressing migration issues.
They plan to leverage traditional media and social media platforms to disseminate counter-trafficking messages and raise awareness, especially among the youth.
“We know traffickers use these platforms to lure victims, so we must counter those narratives with the truth,” Shiaka emphasized.
The project represents a significant step in Sierra Leone’s migration management efforts and reflects strong collaboration between national institutions and international partners to protect vulnerable populations and promote safe, legal, and dignified migration pathways.
