The National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) and Sightsavers-SL have joined forces to promote disability-inclusive safeguarding through a two-day capacity-building workshop held on September 2025 at the Wusum Hotel in Makeni. The event formed part of the “A Better World Citizens Political Participation Project.”
Delivering the welcome address, Sightsavers Country Director, Tiangay Gondoe, emphasized the importance of disability-inclusive safeguarding in advancing political participation and citizenship rights. She explained that the workshop brought together key stakeholders to strengthen safeguarding mechanisms and create more opportunities for persons with disabilities to engage in political processes.
“This collaborative effort underscores our shared commitment to creating an inclusive society where persons with disabilities can fully participate in political processes,” she stated.
Project Lead for the CPP initiative, Rev. Abubarkar Barley-Sesay, highlighted that the workshop was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs (MoYA) and NCPD, with funding support from Irish Aid. He said the training equipped partners, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and focal persons with practical knowledge and skills for implementing comprehensive disability-inclusive safeguarding measures.
He urged participants to engage actively, noting that the workshop aimed to strengthen reporting channels and stakeholder engagement mechanisms.
Representing NCPD, Mawusie P. I. Dumbuya Esq., Information Communication & Outreach Manager, reaffirmed the Commission’s role as an implementing partner from the inception of the project. He explained that the initiative has enhanced the capacity of youth with disabilities, particularly in political participation and climate change advocacy.
He further noted that the Commission’s Chairman is a strong advocate of safeguarding, which aligns with his PRIDE strategy, adding:
“Our commitment to ensuring that persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone can participate fully and safely in all aspects of civic and political life remains unwavering.”
Also speaking, Alphan Alieu Tajawie, Director of Curriculum Development and Training at the National Council for Civic Education and Democracy (NaCCED), commended the project for empowering school pupils. He revealed that civic education teachers are establishing disability school clubs to promote inclusion and safeguarding across schools.
John Conteh, Acting Director of Social Welfare and Religious Affairs, applauded Sightsavers’ work and stressed the ministry’s appreciation of the project. He concluded that the initiative will transform the lives of youth with disabilities and prepare them for future leadership roles.
The sessions were facilitated by Sightsavers’ Country Director, Tiangay Gondoe, and Safeguarding Lead, Idrissa Kanjay, with support from the Project Lead.
