By: Mawusie P.I Dumbuya
Head of Communications
In a bid to achieve its deliverables for the 2020 Financial year and in the clarion quest to actualize the government’s mid-term development plan, the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) has on Friday 27th November, 2020 commenced regional consultation on the development of a new strategic plan in the Northern City of Makeni.
NCPD’s Monitoring and Evaluation Manager Patrick Koroma said consultations will be replicated in all the other regions in Sierra Leone to ensure that the Commission develops a comprehensive strategy which will guide its work and enhance the effective implementation of the Persons with Disability Act 2011.
He revealed that the maiden strategic plan of the Commission expired in 2018 and there is a dire need to develop a new strategic plan which will be in tandem with the emerging challenges of people with disabilities across the country.
Patrice Koroma said the Commission hired an experienced consultant to help develop a National Strategic Plan for the commission “a strategic plan which will stand the test of time”
In addition, he outlined the process of hiring the consultant and emphasizes that the process was very transparent and due processes were followed and adhered to.
In his statement the Consultant said his work is to develop a National Strategic Plan for the NCPD and went on to state that the Strategic plan will create the ideal atmosphere for persons with Disability to benefits from the numerous programs which will be implemented by the Commission in due course.
He implored representatives of various disabled persons organizations to take ownership of the process as it will be done in their best interest.
He further urged Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) to look at disability issues through the right base approach lens instead of the charitable one which has not created any positive impact in the lives of PWDs.
He pleaded with DPOs to reframe from heaping all their burdens on the neck of the Commission, “I challenged you to take responsibility in promoting Disability issues and search for other opportunities” he asserted.
The consultant said he will engage stakeholders across the country to ensure that all the felt needs of PWDs are captured in the strategic plan.
He thanked the Chairman of the Board James T Cullen, Executive Secretary and management for giving him the opportunity to contribute in the disability sector as the consultant responsible to develop a Five (5) years Strategic Plan which he hopes will impact the lives of PWDs positively.
Sulaiman sixties Kamara, Vice Chairman polio persons organization in Makeni said it is a lauded venture for the Commission to develop a Strategic Plan and pledges his support to the process “ we will do everything humanly possible to ensure that the document reflect the issues affecting person with Disability”
The consultant is fired up by the commitments of DPO’s and he is set to meet with key stakeholders in the district before leaving for other parts of the country.
