Hatab Fadera, The Daily
Observer, Banjul, 3 July 2009
Stakeholders drawn from various institutions,
organisations and agencies in the country on Wednesday
brainstormed on the draft integrated national disability
policy document 2009-2018 at the Paradise Suites Hotel
during a day's validation forum organised by the Ministry
of Health and Social Welfare.
The policy document, which is said to be the first of
its kind, aims at promoting equal opportunities for
enhanced empowerment, participation and protection of the
rights of the persons with disabilities irrespective of
gender, age and type of disability. This is in
recognition of the fact that persons with disabilities
can perform to their full potential under the same
conditions and opportunities irrespective of their
social, economic or cultural background.
Prominent among the objective of the policy document,
which is said to be at its final stage of validation, is
to advocate for a conducive environment for the
participation of persons with disabilities in sports and
recreational activities, inclusive education and training
rehabilitation, health care services as well as
employment. It also seeks to ensure that resources for
initiatives that target persons with disabilities and
care givers are mobilised and effectively utilised, as
well as to promote timely access to information for
persons with disabilities using all forms of
communication.
Officially opening the validation forum on behalf of
the minister for Health and Social Welfare, Alhagie
Saikou Jammeh, the acting permanent secretary at the same
ministry, observed that over the years, there has been a
policy vacuum in the area of disability. As a result of
their partnership with the Gambia Federation of Disabled,
and the Voluntary Service Overseas, this policy vacuum is
now being addressed.Acting Permanent Secretary Jammeh
reminded the participants that the validation is the
final one, and implored them to contribute meaningfully
so as to enhance the credibility of the national policy
document. Speaking earlier, Fanta Bai Secka, director of
Social Welfare, said the meeting is important for the
government of The Gambia, as it is the first time in the
history of the country that they are putting in place a
policy for persons with disabilities. She urged the
participants to critically look at the document and
provide the technical input with a view to finalising a
policy document that will go a long way in addressing the
welfare of persons with disabilities.
She noted that the document will help them as a
department to put in place necessary structures and
program of activities that will address the welfare of
persons with disabilities, and protecting their human
rights. For his part, Muhammed Korah, president of the
Gambia Federation of Disabled, delved into the important
role of the Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) in the
policy document. He told the forum that the VSO has been
the non-governmental organisation that engages in
disability programs. The GFD president commended the
government and the VSO for their continuous assistance to
persons with disabilities.
Haddy Lamin Njie, the country director of the
Voluntary Service Oversea, said her organisation felt
honoured in contributing to the first national draft
policy on disability, maintaining that the said policy is
in line with the VSO's global aim to support persons with
disabilities. The need to include persons with
disabilities and active participants in all spheres of
national development, according to the VSO country
director, is more significant now than ever. Expressing
hope to see the adoption of the policy, the VSO country
director hailed the government for their stance in
addressing the issues affecting persons with
disabilities.
Source: www.allafrica.com
