Persons with Disability (PWDs) have said they want one of them to be appointed as deputy minister of social welfare.

Speaking in an interview after a press conference held by the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI) on the 20th of July 2023, Acting President of the Union Salieu Turay said, “We hope that the president kept that position for a qualified person with a disability. So we are calling on His Excellency the President to think it necessary to give the position to a person with a disability.”

When asked why that specific position, he said they have come to realize that appointments have been made for all cabinet and ‘deputy positions, with the deputy minister of social welfare, the only one left that they are keen about.

Executive Secretary of the National Commission for Persons with Disability Saa Lamin Kortequee said that none of them have been appointed from all the cabinet and other appointments made so far.

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“We call on the government to ensure that people with disability are included in the governance structure,” Kortequee said

He said during the last parliament there were two PWDs, noting that even though they were there to represent their parties, it was inclusivity for them.

He said the two MPs or any other PWDs did not make it in this Sixth parliament and that they as a union will not be represented.

Speaking on Local Councils, he said that they only have three persons with disability in those places- one in Kambia and two in Makeni.

Kortequee said he believes that the PR system was a missed opportunity for them, which otherwise would have created no room for discrimination for persons with disability who want to challenge or compete for symbols, since the electorate vote for symbols instead of candidates for both parliamentary and local council representation.

“That could have been a big opportunity for people with disability to be included in parliament and local government structure”, he said, but noted that despite being left out regarding cabinet positions, they remain hopeful of being appointed to parastatal positions.

The secretary boasted of them having competent PWDs that can occupy certain positions, noting that they will be glad if one of them was appointed.

He said that inclusion is relevant in every society, noting that over the years there has been marginalization of certain groups, adding that due to emerging policies, women are now getting out of such a grouping.

A press release by SLUDI dated 19th July 2023 stated that “SLUDI is aware of the vacant Deputy Minister position at the Social Welfare. We are drawing the attention of President Bio to consider a qualified and competent disabled individual for the vacant position.”

President Julius Maada Bio was commended for appointing young people and women in governance, but the union in the press release noted that they are yet to see the appointment of persons with disability in cabinet, parastatals, or missions.