By Dadson A. Musa
This year’s theme for the celebration of the International Day of Persons living with Disabilities was “fostering disability – inclusive societies for the advancement of social progress”. It was an occasion that saw disables involved in games and sports, musical launch, crafts exhibition and dancing competition So several organizations like Mobility Sierra Leone, Disability Inclusion Sierra Leone, Disability Sierra Leone among others came together to make it colourful and meaningful. At the coronation field in Bo people with varying degrees of disability gathered together to ” make their voices heard again.” Chaired by Sylvester Van- Fannah a welcome address was given by Abdul Sheriff, who is the executive director of Disability Inclusion – Sierra Leone. ” Our fundamental human right which is accessing essential government and other important buildings across the country has not been fully addressed as there are many of them that are not disable- friendly , we are not given equal opportunities to get employed, a vast majority of our compatriots are still on the streets begging and government seems to do nothing about it and most debilitating is female disables are far worse off as they are impregnated and left to take care of the kids alone.”
Of note at the disability day commemoration was a paper called the UPR (Universal Person’s- of – disability Report) which aims to advocate and cater for the all-round development or well-being of disables In Sierra Leone. While ” progress has been made but 80% of what the disables need in Sierra Leone is yet to be achieved,” quipped Sylvanus Van- Fannah, an executive member of Disability Inclusion – Sierra Leone. Disables In Sierra Leone now have access to free higher education, free healthcare. And they “thank former president Koroma for passing the fastest law in Sierra Leone in favour of disables. “So, this government of president Julius Maada Bio is being called upon to look into the UPR document so disables ate given a new lease of life and their lives will eventually get better. Lamin Mansaray, head of Mobility Sierra Leone said ” it is time to reflect on what has been achieved and needs to be achieved more”. As he is the one pioneering the work of making sure disables move around on clutches, wheel chairs auto mobile devices. He thanked partners in USA, especially Mobility World Wide.
Statements were also made by representatives from ministry of basic Education, TSC, social welfare ministry and partners from abroad. Vote of thanks was given by Monica Fudia Bona.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Friday, 5th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
