By Ibrahim Sesay
The Information Communication and Outreach Manager of the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD), Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya Esq., on Friday, November 7, 2025, witnessed the official handing over of assistive devices to four disabled educational institutions by the Ministry of Communications, Technology and Innovation (MoCTI) under the Sierra Leone Digital Transformation Project (SLDTP).
The ceremony, held in Freetown, formed part of the Government’s broader digital inclusion initiative to ensure that persons with disabilities (PWDs) are not left behind in the country’s technological advancement agenda.
In his remarks, Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya expressed NCPD’s profound appreciation to MoCTI, SLDTP, the World Bank and the Office of the Chief Minister for their continued support to the Commission and the disability community. He emphasized that while society often believes accessibility for PWDs stops at building ramps, true inclusion extends into the digital space.
“Accessibility is not only about physical structures. It is about ensuring that PWDs can participate in technology, education and innovation. We must create the space for them to be part of Sierra Leone’s digital transformation,” he said.
Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya revealed that NCPD recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Directorate of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), through which over 300 children and youths with disabilities will be trained in various technological skills.
He further appealed for greater Government and private sector partnership in enhancing access to assistive technologies for PWDs, referencing Section 33 of the Persons with Disability Act of 2011, which exempts assistive devices imported for PWDs from taxation. “Unfortunately, Disabled Persons Organizations (DPOs) are still paying taxes on such items,” he lamented.
Calling on the Chief Minister to address that issue, Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya also highlighted the Commission’s operational challenges, including inadequate office space, logistics and limited staff. “If we are to continue promoting accessibility and inclusion, we need institutional support and adequate resources,” he concluded.
Minister of Communications, Technology and Innovation, Salima Bah, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to inclusive technological development, in line with President Julius Maada Bio’s vision of making technology central to national progress.
“Technology must work for everyone. Today’s event is a demonstration of our Government’s resolve to ensure inclusivity remains at the heart of education and digital innovation,” the Minister stated.
She disclosed that the donated items, including digital recorders, Braille papers, smart TVs, computers and tablets, were aimed at enhancing learning outcomes and accessibility for PWDs across educational institutions.
Delivering the keynote address, Chief Minister, Dr. David Moinina Sengeh emphasized that inclusion should be demonstrated through concrete action, not just policy statements.
“It is important that we don’t just speak in theory but show how we are truly impacting lives,”Dr. David Moinina Sengeh stated. He noted that as Chief Minister and Chief Innovation Officer, his role is to ensure that digital transformation and radical inclusion go hand in hand.
He commended the World Bank, MoCTI and SLDTP for their continued partnership, noting that the assistive devices will help learners with disabilities gain better access to educational resources and technology-driven opportunities.
Receiving the items on behalf of beneficiaries, Chief Executive Officer of the Dorothy Springer Trust, Dr. Abs Dumbuya, expressed heartfelt gratitude to MoCTI and partners for the gesture, which he said would transform the learning experience for many PWDs.
His organization, alongside the Educational Centre for the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Bombali School for the Blind and the Opportunity Training Centre, are the key beneficiaries of the initiative.
Dr. Abs Dumbuya reiterated his vision of enabling PWDs to live dignified, independent lives and contribute meaningfully to national development.
Earlier this week, on November 5, 2025, the NCPD also participated in an experience-sharing session on Protection, Gender and Inclusion (PGI) organized by the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society (SLRCS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare (MoSW) at the Ministry’s conference hall in Freetown.
SLRCS Secretary General, Kpawuru E. T. Sandy, expressed gratitude to all partners for their continued support to vulnerable groups and assured that more PGI sessions will be held to strengthen collaboration.
Deputy Minister of Social Welfare, Mohamed Haji Kella, commended SLRCS for leading PGI initiatives and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to gender equality and the protection of vulnerable groups.
During the session, NCPD’s Head of Communications, Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya Esq., delivered a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the Commission’s integration of PGI principles into its programs, emphasizing the need to combat discrimination, violence and exclusion faced by PWDs.
Representatives from Plan International, Rainbow Initiative, the Family Support Unit and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs also made presentations.
The session concluded with a joint commitment to strengthen inclusion frameworks and ensure that no Sierra Leonean is left behind in the nation’s development process.
The Calabash Newspaper is Sierra Leone’s leading English‑language news platform—established in 2017 to deliver trusted coverage of politics, culture, health, and more to audiences both at home and abroad.
