By Thaimu T Kamara
The Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC) has reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities (PWDs) in Sierra Leone’s political and governance processes.
The commitment was made on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, when the Chairman of the PPRC, Emmanuel Koivaya Amara, Esq., and his delegation paid a courtesy visit to the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) at the Ministry of Social Welfare Conference Hall in New England Ville, Freetown.
The engagement brought together senior officials of the NCPD and PPRC, Minister of Social Welfare Hon. Melrose Karminty, the Director of Social and Religious Affairs at the Ministry of Social Welfare and members of the media.
The visit formed part of broader efforts to strengthen collaboration among key national institutions and ensure that disability inclusion is integrated into political and governance processes.
Welcoming the PPRC delegation, Minister Karminty expressed appreciation for the visit and stressed the importance of institutional cooperation in advancing the rights and inclusion of persons with disabilities.
She urged the NCPD and PPRC to identify practical areas of collaboration that would help remove barriers confronting PWDs and create opportunities for their meaningful participation in national affairs.
The Minister also encouraged the PPRC Chairman to create avenues through which persons with disabilities could have their voices represented in policymaking and political decision-making.
In his remarks, NCPD Chairman and Chief Commissioner Brima Abdulai Sheriff described the visit as an important step towards strengthening relations between the two institutions.
Commissioner Sheriff identified several areas requiring urgent attention, including employment opportunities for PWDs within political parties, improved accessibility, the provision of sign-language interpretation, reasonable accommodation and the implementation of a proposed two-percent engagement target for political parties.
He also called for greater promotion of women with disabilities within political structures.
Commissioner Sheriff emphasized that political participation is a fundamental component of inclusion, noting that persons with disabilities should enjoy equal opportunities to participate in democratic processes.
“Persons with disabilities are not merely voters. We are citizens, candidates, leaders and decision makers. Our democracy must make room for us at every level,” he stated.
He assured the PPRC that the NCPD remains willing and available to work with the Commission to advance disability inclusion across Sierra Leone’s political landscape.
Responding, PPRC Chairman Emmanuel Koivaya Amara thanked the NCPD and the Ministry of Social Welfare for hosting his delegation.
He observed that while persons with disabilities are often supporters of political parties, many are not formal members of those parties. He therefore called for the development of a database of persons with disabilities affiliated with political parties.
According to Chairman Amara, such a database would help political parties and stakeholders identify PWDs and create opportunities for them to participate in decision-making structures.
He also urged the Minister and NCPD leadership to encourage persons with disabilities to formally register with political parties, arguing that membership would provide a stronger platform for them to influence decisions affecting their communities and the country.
“We are committed to driving this change together,” Chairman Amara said, adding that the PPRC would use its legal and regulatory mandate to promote the meaningful inclusion of persons with disabilities in the governance and political life of registered political parties.
The NCPD expressed optimism that the engagement would mark the beginning of a stronger and more structured partnership between the two institutions.
The meeting ended with both sides reaffirming their commitment to removing barriers to political participation and building a more inclusive Sierra Leone where persons with disabilities can contribute meaningfully to governance, political activities and national development.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 24th August 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
