105. A number of steps have already been taken to strengthen the legal and institutional framework underpinning and equal society. Notable in this regard are the steps targeting the structural determinants of equality and an increased focus on measures recognized as capable of equalizing opportunities for children born into adverse circumstances. For example: 105.1 The GoSL has recognized that many of the issues of inequity are associated with resource management and capacity challenges at a local level. To address this, the GoSL allocated an amount of Le 3.1 billion in 2014 to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to strengthen local budgets and the capacity to strengthen management and spending of budgets on priority policies and programmes. Local councils will be empowered to take on more responsibilities to ensure the effective disbursement of resources which will be linked to achievement of measurable targets (Minister of Finance and Economic Development, 2013). 105.2 The GoSL has introduced a National Social Protection Policy aimed at alleviating a structural driver of inequality in Sierra Leone – poverty. It seeks to combine national growth with equity for the poor, including providing for the ‘chronically poor’ people, persons who are ‘economically at risk’ and those who are ‘socially vulnerable’, such as disadvantaged women and children. The Policy prioritizes meeting the needs of children of especially poor families through the provision of, inter alia, monthly cash transfers. 105.3 The GoSL has further revised and continues to revise its child welfare policies to focus on the prevention, rather than the remediation of vulnerability, through the provision of material and educational support to families and communities. 105.4 The GoSL is paying increasing attention to the development of policies proven to equalise opportunities for children born into adverse circumstances. Notable in this regard is the emerging Early Childhood Development (ECD) policy. The GoSL is pursuing the development of stronger ECD policies in recognition of the unparalleled difference quality ECD can make to the life chances of vulnerable children. Thus there is a strong focus in the Agenda for Prosperity and emerging sectoral policies on stronger preventative health care for pregnant women and infants, improved nutritional support for younger children, strengthened parenting support and education and formalized public early childhood education. 4.2 Best interests of the child (articles 4) 106. The ACRWC requires that the State must take measures to ensure that the best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all actions taken by any person or authority. 107. The principle of the best interest of the child has been expressly incorporated into the Child Rights Act. It states that the fundamental principle to be applied in the interpretation of the act is that the short- and long-term best interests of the child is a primary consideration in any decision or action that may affect the child or children 36  Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone Initial Report on the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child 2002-2014