By: Problyn J Alpha
Dr. Vandy Konneh, Chairman and Chief Commissioner of the National Commission for Persons Living with Disabilities (NCPD), has promised to give agricultural support to organizations of persons living with disabilities in Kono District.
He made the promise during a day-long engagement with stakeholders and persons living with disabilities at the Kamadu polio camp in Koidu City.
NCPD promised to give agricultural support to the organizations of people Living with disabilities in Kono District, as a result of the numerous challenges highlighted by people living with disabilities during the one-day stakeholders engagement organised by Dr. Vandy Konneh.
Commissioner Konneh said the support would augment President Bio’s feed Salone initiative by improving the standards of living of people with disabilities, thereby reducing street begging and restoring dignity and respect for them.
He noted that accessibility to food has long been one of the major challenges disabled people in the country face.
Dr Vandy Konneh maintained that agriculture is one of the easiest ways to accelerate economic growth. Thus, it’s prudent for disabled people to actively participate in it, which will undoubtedly reduce street begging and other social vices among disabled people in Kono District, as Disability is not inability.
“The Feed Salone agenda of President Bio does not discriminate nor segregate its beneficiaries but rather creates a platform for inclusivity; therefore, it is our responsibility to support the Government of Sierra Leone to achieve the Feed Salone initiative. My office is always open and ready to support any organizations with persons living with disabilities who may want to engage in agricultural activities. We must take the bull by the horns now to end street begging chairman Konneh stated,” he said.
Konneh encouraged organizations of persons with disabilities in Kono to engage in agriculture instead of depending on the government’s support.
