Violations of PWDS Act,
SLAD Calls on Parliament to Reject the New NCPD
By Ibrahim Karim Bangura (Tanko)
One of the leading disability rights activists campaigners, Adama Team Foundation-US-UK-SL and the Sierra Leone Association of Deaf SLAD has strongly condemned the recent violation of the Sierra Leone Persons with Disabilities Act 2011.
Growing civic and public condemnations emerged amid specifically moves aimed at illegitimate removal of the current Chairman of National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), Dr. Vandy Kenneth.
They highlight that the Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, misinformed and misguided the government by recommending a new chairman despite there being no vacancy. This they say is a clear breach of the 2011 Disability Act. Dr. Konneh was duly appointed on May 16, 2024, and approved by parliament in June 2024.
The Act outlines clear procedures for the appointment and tenure of the Chairman, including a three-year term and specific conditions for removal (Section 4), relating to lack of performance, incompetency, or criminal behaviour. But Dr. Kanneh’s situation does not fall under these conditions, rendering the sad attempted replacement unlawful.
The National Alliance for Persons with Disabilities, which this foundation is a part of, demands immediate action: Dr. Konneh should be allowed to complete his term, an investigation into the minister’s actions initiated, policies modified for future compliance, and the unlawful appointment letter retracted. Parliamentarians are urged to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of persons with disabilities.
Osman Amadu Fofanah, Public Relations Officer, SLAD, said the decision of government is unfortunate. “Dr. Konneh is highly proactive and hard-working. We believe in Dr. Konneh’s, despite the challenges. Parliament must reject the so-called new Disabilities Commissioner that the Minister and Co. are trying to imposed on us,” he explained.
Unfortunately, Africa-24 Newspaper and HotSpot Online TV strongly made all efforts to reach the Minister of Socal Welfare, Melrose Karminty, to respond to these sad allegations through her WhatsApp Contact +23278227407 but to no avail.
