By Vaye A. Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia — Representative Moima Briggs Mensah of District #6, Bong County, has raised serious concerns about the growing number of street children across Liberia, describing the situation as “alarming” and in urgent need of national intervention.
Speaking on the following series of local and regional ECOWAS meetings in Sirrelon focused on gender, youth development, and social protection, Rep. Mensah highlighted troubling findings from community visits and committee discussions that are alarming in Liberia. According to her, children as young as eight years old are increasingly being found living on the streets, often without parental care, adequate food, or access to education.
The lawmaker attributed the rise in street children to several underlying factors, including poverty, rural-to-urban migration, drug abuse, and cases where children are reportedly sent away from their homes or taken from their families. “This is not just a Monrovia issue—it is happening across the country,” she noted, emphasizing that communities nationwide are affected.
Rep. Mensah also expressed concern about the lack of proper support systems for vulnerable children, including limited access to schooling and mental health services. She pointed to overcrowding and trauma-related challenges in facilities such as the John F. Kennedy Medical Center, where many young people in distress are referred.
As part of her engagement, the representative said she consulted with national stakeholders, including gender-focused institutions and advisors within the executive branch, to strengthen policy responses. She underscored the importance of coordinated efforts between the Legislature and the Executive to address child protection issues more effectively.
Rep. Mensah revealed that a formal report outlining key findings and recommendations will be submitted to the Liberian Legislature. The report identifies at least ten major factors contributing to the crisis and calls for stronger laws and targeted interventions to protect vulnerable children.
“We must act now,” she urged. “This is about the future of our country. These children deserve protection, education, and hope.” The Legislature is expected to review the report and consider policy actions, including potential legal reforms aimed at addressing the root causes of street child vulnerability in Liberia.
