Justice for Sierra Leone’s Disabled: Accountability, Transparency, and the Right to Education.

Your Excellency President Dr. Julius Maada Bio, Honorable Minister of Social Welfare, Members of Parliament, and Fellow Citizens,

We, the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) of Sierra Leone, write today with heavy hearts and a resolute spirit. We stand at a critical juncture where our fundamental rights, enshrined in the Persons with Disability Act 2011 are being undermined, and the institutions created to protect us appear to be faltering. We demand justice, transparency, and the immediate restoration of integrity to the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD).

Understanding Our Legal Protections: Sections 2, 3, & 4 of the PWD Act 2011. To understand our concerns, it’s vital to recall the bedrock of our rights:

1. Section 2: Definitions: This section clearly defines who is considered a “person with disability” under the Act. It broadly encompasses individuals with long-term physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others. This definition establishes the scope of the Act’s protection.
2. Section 3: Establishment of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD): This is the cornerstone of the Act.

It mandates the creation of the NCPD as the independent statutory body responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Act and safeguarding the rights and welfare of PWDs in Sierra Leone. Its independence is paramount to its effectiveness.

3. Section 4: Functions of the Commission: This section outlines the Commission’s critical duties, which include:

Monitoring and evaluating the Act’s implementation. Advising the government on disability matters and policy. Promoting awareness of disability rights. Investigating complaints of rights violations. Crucially: Collaborating with Ministries and NGOs to ensure PWDs access essential services like education, employment, healthcare, and rehabilitation. It also empowers the Commission to manage funds received for the benefit of PWDs.

The Crisis of Confidence: Leadership, Funds, and Broken Promises

It is against this legal framework that we raise grave concerns: 1.The Arbitrary Dismissal of Dr. Vandy Konneh: The sudden removal of Dr. Konneh as Chairman of the NCPD, reportedly without clear justification or transparent due process, strikes at the heart of the Commission’s mandated independence (Section 3). If there were valid reasons for his dismissal, why were these reasons not communicated transparently to the relevant oversight bodies and the disability community he served? This action creates an atmosphere of fear, instability, and undermines trust in the Commission’s leadership. We demand clarity and, if no substantial, lawful reason exists, we call for Dr. Vandy’s immediate reinstatement to ensure continuity and trust.

2. The Enigma of the UN Fund: The disability community is deeply troubled by the lack of transparency surrounding the $1 million USD donor fund reportedly provided by the United Nations specifically to support PWDs in Sierra Leone. Section 4 of the Act empowers the Commission to manage such funds. However, we ask: Where is this money? How has it been allocated? What tangible programs or support have reached the impoverished and marginalized PWDs struggling daily with unemployment, lack of assistive devices, and inaccessible services? The Minister of Social Welfare, under whose purview the Commission falls, must be held fully accountable for providing a detailed, audited account of this fund. The continued suffering of PWDs, while significant funds are reportedly available, is unacceptable and demands investigation.
3. Systemic Neglect and Broken Promises: The promises of Sections 3 and 4 –access to education, employment, and participation – remain largely unfulfilled. Many qualified PWDs, like myself, face insurmountable barriers. I aspire to contribute significantly as a lawyer advocating for our community. To do this effectively, I seek to pursue a Master’s degree overseas, particularly in the United States where universities offer excellent, accessible programs. Yet, like countless others, I face a wall: no funding, no support. Where is the Commission’s proactive collaboration (as per Section 4) to secure scholarships or funding opportunities for ambitious PWDs? Our potential is stifled, contravening the spirit and letter of the Act.

Our Plea for Justice and Action:

Your Excellency President Bio, we implore you, as the father of the nation, to intervene directly. The suffering and marginalization of PWDs cannot continue. We are not seeking charity; we are demanding our legally enshrined rights and justice.

Investigate the Dismissal: Order an independent, transparent inquiry into the removal of Dr. Vandy. If unjust, reinstate him immediately. Audit the UN Fund: Mandate a full, independent forensic audit of the $1 million UN disability fund managed by or through the Ministry/Commission. Make the findings public and ensure any misappropriation is dealt with decisively by the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC).

Demand Transparency: The Ministry and the chair men Commission leadership must operate with absolute transparency regarding all funds and programs for PWDs.

Prioritize Education & Employment: Develop and fund concrete scholarship programs for PWDs seeking higher education, locally and internationally. Enforce employment quotas and support schemes mandated by the Act. We need opportunities, not empty promises.

Uphold the Act: Ensure the NCPD is allowed to function independently and effectively as mandated by Sections 3 and 4, free from political interference or abuse of authority.

Conclusion: The Persons with Disability Act 2011 was a beacon of hope. That hope is now dimming under a cloud of suspicion, mismanagement, and disregard for due process. We will not tolerate abuse of authority. We will not accept the diversion of funds meant to alleviate our suffering. We stand united in demanding accountability from the Minister of Social Welfare and the restoration of the NCPD as a truly independent champion for our rights.

Your Excellency, we appeal to your commitment to justice and social welfare. Look into this matter urgently. Help us realize our potential. Help us access education. Help us secure dignified employment. Ensure the Commission works for us, not against us. Reinstate Dr. Vandy Konneh if wrongfully removed. Recover and properly utilize the UN funds.

We seek justice, not pity. We demand action, not apathy. The time for change is now.

Respectfully,

Lawyer Ibrahim Smith

Your Name/Pseudonym, e.g., A Concerned PWD Advocate & Aspiring Lawyer

On Behalf of the Disabled Community of Sierra Leone.