By Mohamed Yayah Kanneh
In a bid to champion the rights and active involvement of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in the political and governance landscape of the Republic of Sierra Leone, the Welfare Society for the Disabled (WESOFOD) unveiled its groundbreaking project, generously funded by Trocaire, on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.
The launch ceremony took place at the Kambia District Council hall in Kambia town, where Joseph Alieu Kamara, the Executive Director of the Welfare Society for the Disabled in Sierra Leone, detailed the project’s objectives. The initiative aims to evaluate and enhance the capabilities of Organizations of Persons with Disabilities in Bombali, Kambia, and Port Loko districts. Its primary focus is to increase the enthusiasm and involvement of disabled individuals in leadership and decision-making roles at both the community and district levels. Additionally, the project seeks to bolster inclusive governance practices for the disabled at the community level.
Reflecting on the positive strides taken during and after the 2023 electoral activities, Kamara emphasized the need to advocate for the inclusion and participation of People with Disabilities in Sierra Leone. He called for unity among people with disabilities, highlighting that disunity and divisions only serve to deepen the challenges faced by the disabled community. Kamara expressed gratitude to Trocaire International for their financial support in funding the “Promoting the Inclusion and Participation of PWDs in Governance Project.”
Saa Lamin Kortequee, the Executive Secretary of the National Commission for the Disabled, stressed that the inclusion of persons with disabilities in functional positions and decision-making processes should be a universal concern. He underscored the importance of planning, organizing, implementing, and supervising initiatives related to the disabled with their active involvement. Kortequie expressed dissatisfaction with the untimely release of meager subventions from the Ministry of Finance. Encouraging disabled persons to openly express interest in decision-making and governance, he urged them to leverage lobbying and appealing skills for inclusion.
Mr. Francis M. Kabia, the Director of Social Welfare in the Ministry of Social Welfare, outlined the ministry’s agenda for the inclusion, participation, and development of persons with disabilities in governance and decision-making processes. Kabia commended WESOFOD for aligning with the government’s agenda and emphasized the global significance of including the disabled in governance. He highlighted the government’s commitment to addressing socio-economic challenges faced by those with special needs and concluded by urging all stakeholders, both in the disability community and the government, to collaborate with WESOFOD for the radical implementation of disability inclusion at the community and national levels in Sierra Leone.
