By Nasratu Kargbo
Acting President of Sierra Leone Union for Disability Issues (SLUDI) Salieu Turay has said they want to review the Persons with Disability Act 2011 in a bid to ensure that persons with disability get a quota in different governance positions.
Speaking to Politico on the 19th of July 2022, Turay explained that they are currently working towards reviewing the Act and that when the Minister of Social Welfare designate would have settled in her position they will work together to achieve that. He said: “We know that when the Act is reviewed, it will promote disability issues that will allow us to have a quota in all elective and appointive positions”.
When asked why is it important for them to sit in those offices, Turay said it is important for them to be part of governance because they have their needs and can also contribute to the growth of society, asserting that being part of the system will immensely help in sharing ideas on how to improve the lives of persons with disability in the country.
He added that they want President Bio to look for a competent and qualified person to head the National Commission for Persons with Disability; an office that he said is very important and with the responsibility to implement policies.
Highlighting some of the strides made in improving the lives of persons with a disability during President Julius Maada Bio’s last five years, Turay said there was an increase in support for persons with disability, citing policies such as the radical inclusion of persons with disability. He added that the government through NACSA ensured that the vulnerable received money through cash transfers during COVID-19.
In addition, he said the then Minister of Social Welfare Baindu Dassama implemented a tricycle project that targeted persons with disability amongst others.
Responding to what they hope to see in the President’s second term, he said they look forward to an inclusive government where they would be part of the governance structure. “We want to be appointed as ministers, deputy ministers, and ambassadors”.
Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability Saa Lamin Kortequee said they want a disability policy.
He explained that over the years, certain groups have been marginalized, stressing that due to policies women who are part of the marginalized groups are getting out of that category. Kortequee added that just like women, they wish to have a policy that drives the inclusion of persons with disability.
One of SLUDI’s members Sanusie Sesay said the government has advocated for inclusion, but stated that the focus has been mainly on women and youth despite them making up a sizeable number of the country’s population.
“We believe that disability issues should be given major attention. The President should pay attention to the concerns, aspirations, and needs of persons with disability as well”, Sesay said.
He stated that most of the ministers have little or no clue about the challenges PWDs go through, emphasizing that having a PWD in the cabinet is one way of raising awareness on disability issues in the executive and helping them learn more about how to create an inclusive environment.
He said their commission was established by an Act of Parliament to ensure that they are not discriminated against in society but claimed they are still being subjected to such treatment in the workplace and even in politics. He called on the President of Sierra Leone, Julius Maada Bio to support them.
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