NCPD Demands Nationwide Expansion of Disability Rehabilitation Services
Sia Lucy Kannah The National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPD) and non-governmental organisation One Family People, supported by Liliane Fonds, held a joint press conference, calling for an urgent expansion of Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programs nationwide.
Speaking at the Ministry of Social Welfare Conference Hall in New England Ville, leadership from both organisations argued that decentralising support services is vital for ensuring persons with disabilities (PWDs) can access essential healthcare, education, and economic opportunities within their local communities.
The Chairman and Chief Commissioner of NCPD, alongside the Executive Director of One Family People, presented a joint statement detailing recent regional consultation and town hall outcomes.
Representatives attended from key state and electoral institutions, including the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Electoral Commission of Sierra Leone (ECSL), the Political Parties Regulation Commission (PPRC), the Centre for Coordination of Youth Activities (CCYA), local media, and various Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).
Stakeholders highlighted that PWDs in underserved and rural areas face severe barriers accessing medical rehabilitation, vocational training, and formal employment opportunities.
The joint recommendations focus on transforming findings from nationwide town halls into concrete policy implementations. Organisers emphasised that effective Community-Based Rehabilitation is not strictly a medical issue, but an inclusive development approach centred on human rights, dignity, and local empowerment.
NCPD officials called on government agencies, civil society, and international partners to co-fund and implement community-driven rehabilitation structures.
Both organisations concluded the event by appealing to municipal leaders and traditional authorities to actively counter local stigma, ensuring PWDs are fully included in Sierra Leone’s broader economic and social development plans.