By: Nyima Sillah
Muhammed Krubally, Chairman of the Gambia Federation of the Disable has said they (persons with disabilities) want to be present in the cabinet.
In an interview with this medium, Mr Krubally appealed to the president saying “since we are not present at the National Assembly, we want to be present in the cabinet,”
“I feel that all is not lost, cabinet position is also an appointment basis. The president is also given the constitutional power to appoint cabinet ministers, so, we also feel that the president can still invoke his discretion, exercise his powers to appoint a person with disability into cabinet position,” he added.
Also, they are calling on the president, government, the authorities and everyone to continue standing in solidarity with persons with disabilities. Respect their fundamental human rights, freedom, inherent dignity and also their integrity.
According to him, persons with disabilities represent 15% of the Gambian population and therefore, except to be nominated by the president at least to match the principle of none discrimination, equality, fair representation, respect for individual autonomy diversity including none discrimination and dependence.
But noted that the fact is not actually been the case, the entire disability community in the Gambia express dismay and dissatisfaction.
“We feel that in terms of nomination or selecting persons with disabilities we should be consulted as a federation so that we can point to the right person to represent us but right now we feel underrepresented. Persons with disability rights matter like any other right of any person,” he added.
Mr Krubally therefore said: the only thing they can do is to continuously use the power of advocacy because they believe that advocacy is the strongest tool that can sensitize, and enlighten, so that the president, related authorities and individuals to know the potential of persons with disabilities.
He went on that looking at the current existing structure or representation at the parliament of The Gambia, it means persons with disabilities will continue to be underrepresented and persons with disabilities will not have a say in the decision making process in accordance with the UN Convention on persons with disabilities.