NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – Samuel Dean, the temporarily suspended Executive Director of the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), has raised concerns over the exclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from the ongoing Infrastructure Conference in Nimba County, describing the omission as a violation of both national and international commitments to inclusivity.
In an open letter addressed to Honourable Roland Layfette Giddings of the Ministry of Public Works, Dean criticized the absence of PWD representation at the conference, which is being held from January 19 to 23.
He argued that the exclusion contradicts Liberia’s obligations under international frameworks, including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
By: Kabina Kabah – kabinaskabah98@gmail.com
Dean also referenced the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development, which emphasizes the principle of “leaving no one behind,” noting that the failure to include PWDs undermines the very foundation of the policy.
According to Dean, Liberia still lacks enforceable laws guaranteeing accessibility and reasonable accommodation for persons with disabilities.
He pointed to the continued inaccessibility of public buildings, including the Capitol Building, which he said forces PWDs into humiliating and discriminatory situations—contrary to Article 9 of the UNCRPD, which mandates equal access to public facilities.
Despite his suspended status, Dean said he made efforts to participate in the conference as a panellist but was unsuccessful. He expressed disappointment that the conference had progressed into its second day without any meaningful representation of PWDs.
Calling for urgent corrective action, Dean urged Minister Giddings to invite a disability expert to participate in the conference, arguing that inclusive representation would strengthen Liberia’s infrastructure planning and demonstrate adherence to global best practices.
“To overlook nearly 20 percent of our population is not merely an oversight; it is a systemic failure,” Dean said. “All voices must be heard in critical national discussions on infrastructure and development.”
Dean’s letter has sparked renewed debate about the need for inclusive governance, placing pressure on the Ministry of Public Works to address the concern and ensure that remaining sessions of the conference reflect the diversity of Liberia’s population.
