By: Morlu F. Freeman Sr.
Lofa Correspondent, Verity News
The Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities, Hon. Samuel S. Dean, recently called upon Lofa County Superintendent Hon. J. Lavelah Massaquoi to assist in providing farmland for individuals living with disabilities.
This initiative is a key component of the government’s ARREST agenda, aimed at promoting inclusive development in Lofa County. Hon. Dean emphasized that the project seeks to enhance the living condition of approximately 5,000 persons with disabilities through opportunities in education, vocational training,TEVET, and agriculture.
In response, Superintendent Massaquoi pledged to allocate land for agriculture projects to benefit individuals with disabilities, coordinating through Voinjama District Commissioner Hon. David Marwolo.
Hon. Dean further outlined the commission’s involvement in agricultural and micro business initiatives, which will include training provided by microfinance institutions. Following this training, participants will be eligible for loans aimed at improving their livelihoods. For those involved in agriculture, support will come in the form of seeds and other necessary resources rather than direct financial assistance, based on past experiences.
Additionally, the commission is advocating for assistance to secure qualified teachers for children with disabilities for schooling. Currently, 30 students are benefiting from the TVET program in Liberia.
Director Dean also highlighted the urgent need to establish rehabilitation centers, hospitals, schools, and a headquarters for persons with disabilities in Liberia, particularly for those facing vision-related issues.
The Director defined persons with disabilities as those who may have difficulty running, seeing clearly, hearing, or speaking. He expressed optimism about achieving significant progress for disability inclusion in Liberia over the coming years.
Reflecting on past achievements, Dean noted that under the previous administration, the commission received $200,000 United States dollars which enabled them to establish headquarters in each county, including an annual expenditure of $25,000 in Lofa County. Although the recent government support has been halved to million annually, they currently operate on a limited budget of $25,000 thousand United State dollars, which is little according to him.
Looking ahead, the director expressed intentions to reach out to various NGOs for support for persons with disabilities in Liberia and stressed the importance of community support in driving development initiatives. He reiterated that persons with disabilities are not defined by their challenges but should be treated with respect and given equal opportunities.
