World Disability Day observed

The Gambia Federation of Disabled in collaboration with V.S.O and its partners on Wednesday joined the rest of the world in observing the World Disability Day at a ceremony held at the KMC grounds in Kanifing.

The celebration started in the form of a march pass from the TK Motors to the KMC ground by the disabled people on the theme; ‘dignity and justice for all of us”. Welcoming the people at the grounds, Yankuba Colley, the Mayor of KMC described disability as not inability and that they can even contribute in societies more than the ables.

Mayor Colley cited support fot the disabled pointing out that they should not be discriminated against  since they are part of the society. He urged the disabled people to be proud of themselves.

For his part, Babucarr Boye, the permanent secretary, Department of State for Education said such occasions are vital as it will provide the platform for people to reflect to the disabled. He added that dignity can only be attained, if one is empowered. “ The disabled must be given the opportunity to have access to quality education and should enjoy equal rights as those who are said to be abled” he said.

PS Boye condemned the attribute to the disabled as beggars saying “disability does not mean inability and society should give chance to them to prove their skills and potentials”. He then urged people to put all hands on deck to support the disabled.

Mrs Ndella Faye Colley who deputised for the V.S.O country director said the World Disability Day was set aside by the United Nations since 1982 to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of persons with disabilities throughout the world.

According to her, the theme for this year’s celebration is a fundamental human rights and established universal principles noting that the celebration is significant as it witnessed the entry into force of the Convention on the Right of Persons with Disability and its optional protocol on 3rd May 2008. She urged development partners and donor organisations to support the funding of the implementation of the convention.

Muhammed Kora, president of the Disabled people in The Gambia, thanked the Department of Social Welfare for providing technical service to them. He urged the police to desist from arresting the disabled when they are begging as that may be the only way for some of them to earn their living.