The 3rd of December 2022 will not be easily forgotten by chiefdom Authorities, Stakeholders and members of the Disability Union in Small Bo Chiefdom, Kenema District for the commemoration of their first International Day of Persons with Disability (IDPwD) organised by Opportunity Training Centre (OTC)with support from Engineers Without Borders–Denmark(EWB/DK).
The event took place in Blama at the New London Native Administrative Court Barry. It was attended by members of the Disability Union, Parents/Caregivers, Section Chiefs, Community Stakeholders and Chiefdom Authorities.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the program who also doubled as the chiefdom Speaker of Small Chiefdom, Chief Munda Goba, thanked OTC for selecting their chiefdom for this year’s commemoration of IDPwD which according to him the disabled members are not aware of.
He expressed his appreciation on behalf of the chiefdom to OTC for always thinking of their chiefdom when it comes to awareness raising on disability issues.
The chiefdom speaker disclosed that his chiefdom has allocated a large portion of land for the construction of a training centre for Persons with Disability adding that it not only serves their chiefdom but also other neighbouring chiefdoms. He appealed to government through the Ministry of Social Welfare to help in the construction of the training centre and also OTC to seek for donor partners to achieve their dreams.
Chief Munda Goba affirmed that their chiefdom will continue to provide support in their own way that will contribute to improve the living standard of PWDs in the chiefdom.
The Chiefdom Speaker welcomed his chiefdom and assured them of their safety throughout their stay in Blama. He ended by declaring the meeting open.
Speaking on the purpose for choosing Small Bo Chiefdom for this Year’s Commemoration, the Executive Director and Proprietor of OTC, Eku Scotland, expressed his thanks and appreciation to the chiefdom Authorities for granting his organisation permission to commemorate the day in Blama.
The Executive Director said that his organisation being a Disabled Persons ‘Organisation itself wanted its counterparts in the chiefdom to have an idea of the significance of commemorating the day, adding that they should have an awareness of the day itself.
Eku Scotland explained that the annual observance of the IDPwD on 3rd December was proclaimed by the United Nation General Assembly resolution 47/3. He revealed that observance of the day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilized support for the dignity, rights and well being of persons with disability.
The Executive Director disclosed that his organisation chooses Small Bo Chiefdom for the commemoration because they want to promote the aims of the observance of the day whish according to him is to promote an understanding of disability issues so as to mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of PwDS living in the chiefdom.
Eku Scotland said IDPwD is and has always being commemorated in urban towns abandoning PWDs in rural areas to have an understanding of the day. He disclosed that it is against the back drop that he selected Blama for the commemoration adding that the chiefdom Has the largest disability cases as compared to other chiefdoms in the district.
The Director appealed to caregivers/parents, chiefdom authorities and stakeholders to continue to give support to PwDs to live a dignified life. He encouraged them to send their children and youths with disability to school or skills training centre to acquired education which will help change their narrative. The Director also called on PwDs to be innovative as it will help change their living conditions.
Delivering a talk titled, ‘The Roles of Social Welfare in disability issues and the significance of theme on PwDs,’ the Acting Assistant Director-East, Darlington Karjue, explained that the responsibility of his ministry is not limited to disability issues.
The Acting Assistant Director said their ministry is passionate about disability issues. He cited the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) through an act of parliament which led to the enactment of the disability Act of 2011.
On the significance of theme for this year‘’Transformative solution for inclusive Development: the role of innovation in fuelling an accessible world’ Darlington Kague informed the gathering that his Ministry has won a project to train PwDs in various skills so as to empower them. Innovation is key in transforming lives of not only PwDs but even societies as it improve knowledge with technological trends
The Acting Assistance Director called on PwDs to be innovative as it will help them improve their life and an access to equal opportunity in society.
On the Emergence of the Sierra Leone Disability Act 2011 and its importance to the protection of the right of PwDs, The National Coordinator, Humanist Watch–Salone, Christopher Brima revealed that the Sierra Leone disability Acts 2011was domesticated in 2011 from the United Nations Convention on Rights of Person with Disability. He said the convention outlined many rights that member’s countries should implement in the protection for the Rights of PwDs.
Christopher Brima explained that several provisions were made in the Act which provides among others the access to free tertiary education and health for PwDs, public buildings. He disclosed that the Act also calls for equal opportunities to job and electable positioning.
The Civil Society activist encouraged PwDs to take advantage of the provision made in the Act to achieve the theme for the commemoration. He appealed to the chiefdom Authorities to provide the necessary support as provided for in the Disability Act 2011.
Delivering the keynote address, the representatives of the Paramount Chief thank the organisers of the event for selecting their chiefdom for the commemoration. He pointed out that there is need for a transformative and innovative environment. Transformation and innovation is key to the development human life for not only PwDs but even for able bodied persons.
He stressed the need for training opportunities to be extended to PwDs in Blama who could no longer access formal education.
He called on PwDs to be innovative and transformative as it will help them improve on their way of life.
The chairman, Disability Union and representative of parents/caregivers of PwDs also made meaningful contribution.
Councillor Jeneba Sheriff of Ward 031 in Small Bo chiefdom was among those who made meaningful contributions.
