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The Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to disability inclusion in Sierra Leone at the official launch of the PENDA Pilot 2.0 Inception Workshop.
She emphasised that during the second phase of the PENDA pilot, following a successful rollout in the Western Area Urban and Kenema, presents a critical opportunity to refine the tools and processes underpinning the national disability assessment and certification system. The Minister commended the tireless efforts of national stakeholders and international collaborators, notably UNICEF Sierra Leone and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, for their invaluable technical contributions and unwavering support for the cause.
Minister Karminty outlined a host of bold initiatives aligned with President Julius Maada Bio’s inclusive development vision, including the ongoing review of the #2011DisabilityAct, the integration of disability rights into electoral reforms, and the inclusion of children with disabilities in the Free Quality School Education Programme.
She further announced plans to establish a Disability Innovation Lab aimed at creating digital and entrepreneurial opportunities for youth with disabilities.
Her message was echoed by the UNICEF Representative, who hailed the workshop as a springboard for action and called for continued collaboration to address the persistent challenges faced by persons with disabilities. Describing them as individuals with “special abilities,” she underscored the need to remove barriers to education, healthcare, and livelihoods.
