By Abu Bakarr Sama
The Ministry of Social Welfare today welcomed a delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission to discuss an upcoming program aimed at promoting the inclusion of Persons Living with Disabilities (PWDs) across the region.
The delegation, led by Dr. Alves D’Almada Jorge, Head of the Social Affairs Division of the ECOWAS Commission, briefed the Ministry on the Artistic Program for Persons Living with Disabilities, scheduled for 28 March 2025. Dr. Jorge emphasised that the initiative aims to promote inclusivity for people with disabilities (PWDs) within West African states.
He explained that the program, launched last year, initially covered Benin, Togo, and Nigeria and is now being expanded to Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Guinea-Bissau in 2025. The delegation’s visit was aimed at formally notifying the Ministry of tomorrow’s engagement with the Federation of Persons with Disabilities in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Jorge noted that ECOWAS conducted comprehensive studies on PWDs across the sub-region last year and is now in the implementation phase. He assured that “no one will be left behind” and commended the Sierra Leonean government for its efforts in integrating PWDs into society.
Hon. Melrose Karminty, Minister of Social Welfare, expressed gratitude for the visit, calling it “a step in the right direction.” She recalled that during last year’s ECOWAS ministerial meeting on disability in Nigeria, member states agreed to prioritise assistive devices for PWDs, particularly children, as a critical need.
“If we want persons with disabilities to contribute meaningfully to society, we must provide them with the necessary tools, especially children in education. The blind, the deaf, and others require assistive devices to thrive,” she stated.
Minister Karminty highlighted the government’s commitment to human capital development under President Julius Maada Bio’s leadership, stressing the importance of radical inclusion—a policy launched five years ago to ensure PWDs have equal opportunities in national development. She cited the Free Quality Education initiative as a key example of this commitment.
In closing, the Minister pledged full collaboration with the ECOWAS Commission to address the challenges faced by PWDs in Sierra Leone. The delegation’s workshop tomorrow will further outline support mechanisms for the country.
