AYV News, July 10, 2025
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty has announced that she has secured almost $1million in New York to empower People With Disabilities in Sierra Leone.
She said an Economic Empowerment Project will be launched tomorrow Friday 11th July, 2025, adding that the project aims to build and renovate training centers across the country for PWDs to discourage them from roaming the street begging.
The minister further informed the public about the ministry’s quick response in addressing drug and substance abuse amongst youths in Sierra Leone.
She pointed at the first rehab center in Sierra Leone that was opened at Hastings to rehabilitate and reintegrate drug addicts back to society, highlighting the government’s effort in addressing the drug menace through an inter-ministerial approach to collaborate in the fight against drugs and harmful substances.
She went further to announce that recently, another rehab center was opened in Bo and 50 was discharged and reintegrated back to society. Some have gone back to school and University.
The newly appointed Chief Commissioner for the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities Brima Abdulai Sei spoke about his vision anchored on his strategy he coined PRIDE.
This strategy will look at Policy Engagements, Resilience, Inclusion Dignity and Empowerment (PRIDE) in advancing development for Persons with Disabilities. He promised to move this strategy from paper to a real implementation plan in ensuring PWDs are empowered and capacitated.
One of the big announcements he made was that DSTI is planning to train over 1000 Persons with Disabilities to acquire skills training. Chief Commissioner Brima called for peace and stability in the disability community as it is pivotal in the development of PWDs.
