NCPD

Happy New Month!

The National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) extends warm wishes for a happy, peaceful, and productive new month to all our followers, partners, stakeholders, and persons with disabilities across Sierra Leone.

NCPD COMMENDS PARLIAMENT, ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND GOVERNMENT OF SIERRA LEONE FOR RATIFICATION OF THE MARRAKESH TREATY

*NCPD Advances Community-Based Disability Inclusion*

NCPD Advances Community-Based Disability Inclusion - Provincial Times Newspaper By Mahamood Fofana

NCPD Convened its Maiden Meeting of the New Board Members

The National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) on Friday, 24th July 2026, convened its Board Meeting at the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) Conference Hall New England Ville in Freetown, bringing together Board Members and senior officials to review the Commission’s progress, strengthen institutional governance, and set strategic priorities for advancing the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across Sierra Leone.

The Maiden Board Meeting was chaired by the Chairman and Chief Commissioner of NCPD, Brima Abdulai Sheriff, and was attended by the Hon. Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs. Melrose Karminty, who graced the occasion as the Special Guest.

The meeting also brought together Board Members representing the Ministries of Social Welfare, Youth Affairs, Sports, Transport and Aviation, Finance, and Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), as well as regional representatives of the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI), demonstrating a broad multi-sectoral commitment to advancing disability inclusion and strengthening the Commission's governance.

The meeting served as a critical governance platform for evaluating the Commission’s performance, reviewing strategic programmes, and deliberating on policy directions aimed at strengthening institutional effectiveness and promoting disability-inclusive development.

In his opening address, Chairman and Chief Commissioner Brima Abdulai Sheriff warmly welcomed Board Members.

He expressed appreciation for their commitment to advancing disability rights and inclusive governance in Sierra Leone.

Commissioner Sheriff described the Maiden Board Meeting as a significant milestone in the Commission’s institutional journey, noting that it provided an opportunity to assess achievements, address operational challenges, and formulate practical strategies to enhance service delivery for PWDs.

Brima Sheriff highlighted notable and evidence-based achievements in the one year of his stewardship, including strengthened collaboration with Government Ministries,Departments and Agencies (MDAs), development partners, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), civil society organizations, and other key stakeholders.

He emphasized that these partnerships continue to play a vital role in supporting the effective implementation of the Persons with Disability Act, 2011, while advancing the national agenda for inclusion and equal opportunity.

He also mentioned challenges faced by the Commission including inadequate and delayed disbursement of Government Subvention, the absence of functional Regional Office and poor and uncompetitive remuneration.

He further called on Board Members to provide strategic leadership and policy guidance that would strengthen institutional accountability, improve operational efficiency, enhance resource mobilization, and ensure that the Commission’s programmes remain responsive to the evolving needs and aspirations of persons with disabilities nationwide.

During the deliberations, Board Members reviewed departmental performance reports, assessed ongoing programmes and projects, examined financial and administrative matters, and discussed strategic interventions aimed at improving institutional performance.

The Board also considered measures to strengthen stakeholder engagement, promote disability-inclusive governance, expand advocacy initiatives, and improve accessibility and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities across the country.

The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment from both the Board and Management to work collaboratively in implementing transformative policies and programmes that will enhance the socio-economic well-being of persons with disabilities and promote their meaningful participation in Sierra Leone’s national development agenda.

The Board Meeting reaffirmed NCPD's commitment to transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance, while reinforcing its resolve to ensure that no person with disability is left behind in the country’s development process.

NCPD, OFP Convene National Stakeholders’ Conference on CBR in Makeni

The National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD), in collaboration with One Family People (OFP) and with support from Liliane Fonds, successfully convened a National Stakeholders’ Conference on Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) on 22nd July, 2026, in Makeni, bringing together key actors to strengthen collaboration and advance disability-inclusive community development across Sierra Leone.

The conference attracted representatives from the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW), the Sierra Leone Union on Disability Issues (SLUDI), Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), development partners, civil society organizations, community leaders, and disability advocates.

A major highlight of the conference was the signing of a Partnership Agreement between NCPD and OFP, establishing a strategic framework for collaboration to develop, promote, and implement a comprehensive national strategy for disability inclusion in Sierra Leone.

The partnership will strengthen CBR and Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID), ensuring that PWDs have greater access to their rights, essential services, and opportunities for full and meaningful participation in society.

The gathering provided a national platform for stakeholders to review progress made in implementing Community-Based Rehabilitation, identify existing gaps, exchange best practices, and develop practical strategies for expanding inclusive services and opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and their families.

In his statement, the Chairman and Chief Commissioner of NCPD, Brima Abdulai Sheriff, reaffirmed the Commission’s unwavering commitment to ensuring the full inclusion and participation of PWDs in national development.

He described CBR as a transformative and people-centred approach that empowers PWDs by placing them at the heart of development initiatives.

He emphasized that sustainable disability inclusion can only be achieved through strong community ownership and active collaboration among all stakeholders.

Commissioner Sheriff called for enhanced coordination among government institutions, development partners, local councils, civil society organizations, and OPDs to ensure disability-inclusive services are accessible in every district and chiefdom across the country.

He further urged stakeholders to move beyond policy dialogue and focus on practical interventions that improve access to quality education, healthcare, sustainable livelihoods, assistive devices, and social protection services for PWDs.

Representing the Ministry of Social Welfare, the Director of Social and Religious Affairs, John Conteh, commended NCPD and OFP for organizing the conference and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting inclusive social development.

He described CBR as a critical strategy for strengthening community participation and ensuring that PWDs enjoy equitable access to government programmes and essential public services.

He also encouraged stakeholders to strengthen coordination mechanisms, improve disability data collection and management, and mainstream disability inclusion into district development planning to achieve sustainable and measurable impact.

Speaking on behalf of SLUDI, President Joseph Allieu applauded NCPD and OFP for convening the national dialogue, describing it as a timely initiative that reinforces the voices, leadership, and meaningful participation of PWDs in national development processes.

He stressed that OPDs must remain central to the planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of disability programmes.

He further called on development partners and implementing organizations to continue investing in inclusive community-based initiatives that promote independence, dignity, equal opportunities, and social inclusion for PWDs.

Delivering remarks on behalf of OFP, the Acting Director, Samuel Macauley, expressed appreciation to NCPD, Liliane Fonds, and all stakeholders for their continued partnership and shared commitment to advancing disability inclusion in Sierra Leone.

He highlighted OFP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen CBR systems through capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and community empowerment initiatives.

He noted that meaningful partnerships remain fundamental to addressing the barriers faced by PWDs and reaffirmed OFP’s commitment to working closely with government institutions and development partners to build inclusive communities where no one is left behind.

Throughout the conference, participants engaged in interactive discussions on strengthening multi-sectoral coordination, enhancing access to inclusive education and healthcare, promoting economic empowerment, improving disability data systems, expanding community awareness, and ensuring the effective implementation of CBR programmes nationwide.

Participants also shared experiences from their respective institutions, highlighting successful interventions, lessons learned, and practical recommendations for scaling up inclusive community development initiatives across Sierra Leone.

The conference concluded with a renewed commitment from all stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, promote disability-inclusive policies and programmes, and accelerate the implementation of sustainable CBR initiatives that improve the quality of life, dignity, and socio-economic inclusion of PWDs throughout Sierra Leone.

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