Adama Team Foundation, under the astute Chief Executive Officer, Mrs. Adama Konneh has in a passionate plea called on His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio to establish a separate Ministry on Disability Affairs, similar to the Ministries for Youth and Women, where dedicated institutions address their issues despite the existence of a legislative Commission, continued by also urging the President to encourage cabinet members and other government leaders to be disability sensitive and genuinely care about the welfare of persons with disabilities.
“Society needs leaders who will not only advocate for legal changes but also enforce and implement policies to ensure persons with disabilities can thrive equally across the nation,” she said.
These advocates went further that for too long, the disability community has waited for promises to translate into action, noting that it is time to fully integrate disability rights into national development, social protection, education, and employment frameworks, thus, appointing compassionate, capable, and disability-aware officials is a crucial step toward that goal.
“As we observe National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in the United States, we honor the resilience, strength, and contributions of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across our nation. This observance is a solemn reminder of our shared responsibility to promote inclusion, accessibility, and equality for all citizens, regardless of ability. This year’s proclamation carries special significance as it challenges us to move beyond words into meaningful action. True inclusion requires more than legislation; it demands leadership, empathy, and the will to implement tangible change.”
Outlining some of her reasons for such a plea, she said a separate Ministry for Disability Affairs is need for the following reasons: Focused attention, as dedicated ministry ensures that the needs and concerns of people with disabilities receive specific attention and priority; Inclusive policies, which enables the development of targeted policies and programs to promote accessibility, equality, and empowerment for people with disabilities; Advocacy, as separate ministry can effectively advocate for the rights and interests of people with disabilities, pushing for implementation of laws and policies that benefit them; Coordination, which facilitates coordination among various government departments, NGOs, and stakeholders to ensure a cohesive approach to disability-related issues; and Accountability, for dedicated ministry can be held accountable for progress and challenges in addressing disability-related concerns.
“By having a separate Ministry for Disability Affairs, governments can demonstrate their commitment to promoting the welfare and inclusion of people with disabilities.”
She concluded by appealing that this National Disability Awareness Month be a turning point, an opportunity for the nation to reaffirm its commitment to equality, accessibility, and dignity for all. Together, we can create a Sierra Leone where every individual, regardless of ability, is empowered to contribute, participate, and succeed, this, she said is not a privilege, but rights.
