By Alpha Amadu Jalloh
Mr. President, I want to begin by acknowledging your efforts in celebrating yet another International Day of Persons with Disabilities on December 3, 2024. It is indeed a commendable gesture to recognize this day and highlight the importance of inclusivity. But, Mr. President, beyond the ceremonial rhetoric and photo opportunities, I must ask. What tangible impact has your government made on the lives of persons living with disabilities in Sierra Leone?
Frankly, Mr. President, I am troubled, and I believe many Sierra Leoneans share my sentiments. It appears that your government’s deception has permeated every facet of our society. You have promised much but delivered little. While the speeches are eloquent and the public declarations are polished, the lived reality of persons with disabilities tells a starkly different story.
Mr. President, do you genuinely believe you have the right to celebrate these individuals on such an important day? What has your administration done with the funds and support meant to improve their lives? International donors, NGOs, and humanitarian organizations have poured resources into this country to aid vulnerable groups, yet the conditions for persons with disabilities remain dire. Where has all that support gone?
Mr. President, have you ever taken the time to truly walk in the shoes of a person living with a disability in Sierra Leone? If so, have you contemplated their daily struggle for survival? As we say in our local parlance.
“Bo Mr. President, dem wan wae dem nor to disable pipul dae struggle, wetin wi go say bot di wan dem wae disable?” In other words, if able-bodied Sierra Leoneans are finding it nearly impossible to survive in this harsh economic climate, what about those who are physically challenged? Mr. President, the struggle is unbearable for them.
Have you visited the streets of Freetown lately? Have you seen the squalor, the hopelessness, and the despair in the eyes of beggars, many of whom are persons with disabilities? Not too long ago, it was customary for beggars to come out only on Fridays to seek alms. Today, they are out every single day because the economic situation has deteriorated so badly that they have no choice. Mr. President, your government has become the worst thing to happen to persons with disabilities in this country.
I recall vividly, Mr. President, the incident involving your former lawless Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, who verbally abused a group of young people on George Street. These youths, some of whom were disabled, came to you seeking justice. But what was the outcome? Nothing. Their cries fell on deaf ears. The government they hoped would protect them instead abandoned them.
Mr. President, you claim to be a leader of action, “Tok en Do,” as your slogan once proclaimed. But permit me to say it as it is. You have become a leader of talk and no action.
Persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone need more than empty promises and public relations stunts. They need real, meaningful change. They need access to education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and social services that can enable them to live dignified lives.
It is disheartening, Mr. President, to see the government waste resources on vanity projects and political propaganda while the most vulnerable in our society languish in poverty. Millions of leones are spent on foreign trips, lavish ceremonies, and the salaries of unqualified officials. Meanwhile, persons with disabilities are left to fend for themselves, often relying on the kindness of strangers to survive.
Why is it that funds meant for disability support are mismanaged or diverted? Why do we continue to build infrastructures that are inaccessible to those with physical challenges? Why are government offices, schools, and public facilities still not equipped to accommodate persons with disabilities?
Mr. President, these are questions that demand answers. Mr. President, it is time to stop the endless speeches and start taking concrete actions. The people are tired. “The disabled community is tired.”.
I challenge you to do the following. Conduct an audit of disability funds. Let us have a transparent audit of all funds allocated for persons with disabilities. Where did the money go, and who is responsible for ensuring it reaches its intended beneficiaries?
Establish a National Disability Support Program. Create a comprehensive program that provides financial assistance, vocational training, and access to healthcare for persons with disabilities.
Enforce Accessibility Laws, Make it mandatory for all public buildings, schools, and workplaces to be accessible to persons with disabilities. Enforce penalties for non-compliance.
Provide Employment Opportunities. Partner with the private sector to create job opportunities for persons with disabilities. They have skills and talents that can contribute to the economy if given the chance. Engage with the Community,
