By Binta Jaiteh
Dozens of National Assembly members frowned at government’s negligence towards the affairs of person with disabilities.
These queries were raised yesterday after the Minister of Agriculture Demba Saballyrepresenting the Minister of Gender Children and Social Welfare Rohey John Manjang tabled the motion on protocol to African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa.
Speaking during the debate on the motion, member for Busumbala Constituency Muhammed Kanteh said the motion that was tabled by the Minister was essential and it needed consideration.
According to him, the protocol will enhance and re-enforce the existing legal instrument that the government had which is the constitution that gives rights to people with disabilities. It will give a befitting protection and promotion regarding rights of disabilities.
“The fact of the matter is whether people with disabilities are prioritized by government”, questioned Lower Saloum Lawmaker SaineyJawara.
He stated that records had shown that 7.9% of the population was physically challenged. The unemployment rate with regards to person with disabilities stands at 68%.
Hon. Jawara stresses that persons with disabilities are neglected saying that even in the National budget nothing is catered as far as the budget is concern.
He asked the Minister of Agriculture to inform the assembly regarding the ongoing nine agricultural projects whether persons with disabilities have benefited.
He says Gambians are good at making laws but implementation becomes a challenge.
Member for Banjul Central Abdoulie Njai also said the assembly makes appropriation to different institutions but hardly to people with disabilities.
“I remember asking the Minister of gender with regards to allocation to persons with disabilities but she replied that we oversighted a particular allocation to them,” he explained.
He urged the assembly to make urgent appropriation of a budget to people with disabilities and make sure that special attention is given to them. The protocol highlighted stigmatization and marginalization of people with disabilities in the societies.
Member for Banjul North Momodou Lamin B. Bah also queried that since the enactment of the bill in 2021, nothing much has been done.
“We see PWDs as people we should sympathize and that are a wrong notion,” he added.
The motion on protocol to African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in Africa was unanimously ratified.
