PWD Call For Establishment Of Disability Equity Fund

PWD Call For Establishment Of Disability Equity Fund

GANTA, Dec. 5 (LINA) - In an effort to enhance inclusivity and equality in Liberia where "every ability counts," Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from the 15 political subdivisions have called for the establishment of a disability equity fund.

At a three-day event held from December 1-3, 2024, in Ganta, Nimba County, PWDs emphasized the urgent need for the Government of Liberia (GOL) to establish a legally mandated Disability Equity Fund to address the needs and aspirations of PWDs nationwide.

The commemoration of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities (IDPWD), organized by the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) in collaboration with the National Union Organization of the Disabled (NUOD), was supported by the government and its partners.

This year's global IDPWD theme, “Amplifying the Leadership of PWDs for an Inclusive and Sustainable Future,” was localized in Liberia as “Strength in Inclusivity: Every Ability Counts.”

Addressing the delegates on Tuesday, December 3, 2024, Samuel S. Dean, Executive Director of the NCD and self-proclaimed "Chief Inclusivity Officer" of Liberia, delivered a passionate call to action, emphasizing that PWDs in Liberia are no longer willing to endure marginalization in a country endowed with abundant resources.

“It is time for concessionaires, multinational corporations, and businesses to contribute to a National Disability Equity Fund through a legally binding instrument,” he asserted, noting that “This fund would ensure stability for our community, regardless of budget constraints, and compel businesses to pay for the utilization of PWD labor.”

He criticized companies such as Bea Mountain, Firestone, and ArcelorMittal for exploiting Liberia’s resources without employing persons with disabilities, despite mandates outlined in the NCD Act.

He also underscored the necessity of a National Disability Registry to systematically collect data on PWDs.

Such a registry, he explained, is critical for crafting realistic budgets and tailoring support to specific categories of disabilities.

“To address the community's needs, we must establish a National Disability Registry. Without it, our efforts will be in vain,” he warned.

Dean expressed disappointment with the government minimal budgetary allocation for disability-related initiatives, describing it as less than one percent of the national budget.

He criticized the lack of accessibility in public spaces, highlighting that the very building hosting the event in Ganta lacked universal design features mandated by Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

“We intentionally chose Ganta as the host city because, despite its development, it remains a hub of inequality,” Dean stated.

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992 under Resolution 47/3.

The day aims to promote the rights, dignity, and inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Liberia's commemoration of the event highlights ongoing challenges and the collective call for systemic change.