Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities, highlighting key achievements in disability inclusion during the Conference of States Parties (COSP) to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at the United Nations.
Delivering Sierra Leone’s statement at the conference, the Minister of Social Welfare outlined the government’s efforts to promote disability rights through legislation, social protection programmes, regional cooperation, and improved data systems.
The Minister noted that the Persons with Disability Act of 2011 remains the foundation of disability rights protection in Sierra Leone. The legislation prohibits discrimination and promotes equal access to education, healthcare, employment, transportation, political participation, and other public services for persons with disabilities.
A major milestone arising from the Act was the establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD), which coordinates and monitors disability-related programmes and advocates for the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities across the country.
Sierra Leone also acknowledged the support of the United Nations Partnership on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) Fund, which has helped strengthen institutional capacity, improve coordination among stakeholders, and increase the participation of persons with disabilities in governance and public policy processes.
According to the Minister, support from development partners has enabled the construction of a specially abled village accommodating 60 households headed by persons with disabilities. Additionally, two skills training centres for persons with disabilities have been refurbished and equipped to enhance vocational opportunities and economic empowerment.
The government further highlighted its commitment to disability-inclusive social protection programmes. Through initiatives supported by the Government of Sierra Leone and the World Bank, vulnerable households, including those headed by persons with disabilities, continue to benefit from cash transfer programmes aimed at reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.
At the regional level, Sierra Leone is collaborating with fellow ECOWAS member states to develop a Disability Accountability Framework designed to strengthen disability data collection, monitoring, reporting, and evidence-based policymaking across West Africa.
The Minister also announced ongoing collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and other partners to develop a Disability Management Information System (DMIS). Once operational, the system will serve as a centralized platform for collecting and managing disability-related data, ensuring that persons with disabilities are adequately represented in national statistics and development planning.
While acknowledging progress, the government admitted that challenges remain, including barriers to accessibility, limited employment opportunities, resource constraints, and the need for greater public awareness and attitudinal change toward disability issues.
The Minister, however, reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s determination to strengthen disability-inclusive policies and programmes while promoting the meaningful participation of persons with disabilities in national development.
Calling for greater international cooperation and investment, Sierra Leone urged development partners and fellow states to work collectively toward achieving the full realization of the rights of persons with disabilities and ensuring that no one is left behind.
The statement concluded with a reaffirmation of Sierra Leone’s commitment to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the principle of “Nothing About Us Without Us.”
