By Binta Jaiteh
Ousainou Musa Yally Batchilly, leader of Gambia Action Party has urged the government to invest more on the children with Down Syndrome.
He was speaking at the launch of the welfare of children with Down Syndrome Association in The Gambia held at Paradise suites hotel under the banner “all-inclusive for a better society in empowering and supporting children with special needs.”
“I call the government to either create a facility be it 100 or 200 by 200 for these children. Children with special needs are brilliant and all they need is support and empowerment. Gambians should get up and help the children with special needs, some of them are ashamed to show themselves to the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, Binta Jobe former director of Gambia Tourism Board expressed believe saying “I believe in helping the under privilege and we need to advocate for more inclusiveness in the society.”
Omar Mbacke deputy director Ministry of Gender Children and Social Welfare (MOGCSW) who represented the Miinister of MOGCSW said Down Syndrome is one of those rare conditions. And giving awareness is not surprising even though there is a projected rise in number of children born with this special need.
According to him, the establishment of this association is noble and came at a right time as one of the fundamental aims would be to act as coordinating and facilitating individuals’ groups involve in the area of helping people with special needs.
“The creation of this association will create room for the people to nurture children with down syndrome. Following the establishment of the Gender Ministry in 2017, we unveil a strategy of boldness and ambition that envisage by the government of the Gambia this boldness is rooted in our gratitude purpose and the unity of national and international,” he said.
However, we aim to usher in a modern system that will offer more predictable reliable and sustainable population to enable them manage the long-term resilience and contribute to national development, he said.