By Arret Jatta
Chairman and Secretary General of the Gambia Foundation for Disabled (GFFD) has disclosed in an interview that the current situation of the country makes it difficult for persons with disabilities to live happily and talk less comfortably.
Lamin Manneh said the standard of living of the people in the country in this present economic situation is disheartening.
He explained “Among us, you have the most vulnerable ones, who cannot even provide food for themselves. In most cases, particularly those who beg in the streets for a living, it is so difficult for them, especially in the rainy season.”
He said despite the disability act, persons with disabilities are still neglected.
“Persons with disabilities are so neglected, marginalized and we are so segregated especially those among us that are in provinces. We thought that from October 2021 after the President endorsed the disability act our lives would be better. We had a big hope that persons with disabilities wills and aspirations would be a thing of the past but as far as I’m concerned, our lives and aspirations are from the frying pan to the fire,” he said.
Chairman Manneh noted that they have not received any subvention from the current government or any governmental entity.
“There is no support for persons with disabilities in this country as far as I know, even the D10 million promised from the cabinet approval, only four million was given which was used for visibility matters, compensation, and unnecessary seminars, that tells you the government of the day is not committed to supporting persons with disabilities,” he opined.
Notwithstanding, he recognized that they got support from UN agencies and other non-governmental institutions.
He, therefore, agitated for the implementation of the disability act to realize their needs and aspirations.
However, he urged the government, and people in the diaspora among others to extend helping hands to persons with disabilities.