By Mohamed Yayah Kanneh
Sierra Leone made a resounding impression on the international stage as the country’s delegation, led by Ambassador Dr. Vandy Konneh, Chief Commissioner of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) and Executive Secretary Saa Lamin Kortequee, actively participated in the 2025 Global Disability Summit held in Berlin, Germany.
The high-profile summit, which brought together representatives from over 150 countries, centered on the theme: “Inclusive Futures: Building Resilient Societies through Disability-Inclusive Development.” Over the course of three days, the Sierra Leone delegation engaged in critical discussions, forging new partnerships and amplifying the nation’s voice in global disability policy dialogue.
Amb. Dr. Vandy Konneh took part in several high-level panel discussions, during which he shared Sierra Leone’s unique journey in implementing the 2011 Persons with Disability Act. He underscored the challenges encountered in the post-conflict and post-Ebola recovery periods, while also highlighting ongoing national efforts to advance disability rights and inclusion.
Significantly, the NCPD leadership used the summit as a platform to engage with key international partners. These strategic engagements culminated in new agreements aimed at strengthening Sierra Leone’s disability sector through capacity-building initiatives for both NCPD staff and Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) across the country.
Speaking to the press shortly after the summit, Dr. Vandy Konneh reiterated Sierra Leone’s dedication to improving disability data collection. He emphasized the critical need for evidence-based policymaking, noting that reliable data remains essential for the design and delivery of effective disability inclusion programs.
Dr. Vandy Konneh further announced plans to convene a national stakeholders’ meeting upon returning home. That meeting, he said, will focus on crafting a comprehensive action plan to implement the partnerships and commitments secured at the summit. Additionally, he revealed that the Commission is preparing to launch an enhanced nationwide public awareness campaign to promote disability rights and inclusion. The campaign will incorporate innovative communication strategies drawn from successful models in other African countries.
The NCPD’s active participation in the Global Disability Summit represents a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to fully realize disability inclusion and to give life to the aspirations enshrined in its national legislation. The knowledge gained and partnerships formed at the summit, are expected to catalyze substantial progress toward ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the country’s development agenda.
As Sierra Leone continues to push forward with its disability-inclusive vision, the outcomes of the Berlin summit will serve as a vital blueprint for future action, policy reform and sustainable development that uplifts all citizens, regardless of ability.
