SLAD observes International Day for the Disabled
The Sierra Leone Action for the Disadvantaged (SLAD) on Tuesday, December 3 this year, observed the International Day for the Disabled in collaboration with their donor partners on the theme, ‘’Break barriers, open doors for inclusive society for all,’’ under the sponsorship of Africell, UNFPA, PLAN-Sierra Leone and CIPED held at the Scripture Union office at Pademba Road in Freetown.
In his statement, the Chairman of the ceremony who is also the Executive Director of SLAD, Mr. Mohamed Aloysius Kamara, noted that the day marked an important day in the life of disabled people in the country and the world over especially when it comes to the welfare of disabled issues like education, health and employment.
He said government should make a platform to ensure that persons with disabilities have access to key issues like health, education and employment.
Mr. Kamara pointed out that since the enactment of the Disability Act in 2007 nothing has been done to seek the welfare of disabled people in the country.
He added that there has been a lot of discrimination against persons with disability in the areas of employment, housing, education, and health care among others.
He noted that disabled persons should not sit back and complain but that they should stand up for their rights by lobbying government to implement the provisions of the Disability Act of 2007.
He thanked the Africell mobile company for their support towards disability issues in the country, while stressing that they are very proud of their contributions to the welfare of disabled persons.
In his comments, the Partnership Manager of Master Peace-Sierra Leone, Mr. Alfred Augustine Kebbie, revealed that SLAD is a very hard working organization that promotes the welfare of disabled persons in the country.
He reiterated that they have been partnership with SLAD for a very long time in their struggle to ensure that the rights of disabled persons are protected and promoted.
He disclosed that Master Peace-Sierra Leone has over the years engaged in peace-building among youths and the Police and engaged in solving land issues at community level.
He revealed that they have recently concluded three-day Boot Camp training for over thirty participants on peace-building.
Mr. Kebbie commended SLAD for its stride to promote disability issues in the country and encouraged disabled persons not to relent in their effort to empower themselves.
In his remarks, the Head of Marketing Events and Sponsorship at Africell, Mr. Arthur B. Kallon, stated that Africell has contributed greatly to the development of country, stressing that they take disability issues very seriously.
He disclosed that they have a very strong relationship with the Milton Margai School of the Blind.
Mr. Kallon explained that as a mobile company they are not just involved in making people communicate but they also give a lot of assistance to deserving causes.
He maintained that Africell is ready to partner with disabled organizations to not only give them financial support but to assist them in other areas as well.
He commended the management of SLAD and said that he hoped they would continue to work together.
In his comments, the Director of Rights Way International, Mr. Mohamed K. Barrie, stated that the disabled persons can play a vital role in society but that in Sierra Leone most disabled persons are discriminated against compared to other parts of the world.
He urged the disable to break the barriers and be inclusive in society.
In his contribution, the Executive Director of Pace-Sierra Leone, Mr. Mohamed Sannoh, said there are a lot of barriers that hinder the potentials of disabled persons in the homes, in educational institutions, in vehicles, in work places, and even in social gatherings.
He disclosed that in the 2014 Budget the issues of disabled persons were not considered.
He stressed that it was to break the barriers against the disabled persons and help them achieve their potentials that this day was set aside.
By Issa Mansaray
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