The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme and UN Sierra Leone, has signed a landmark $990,000 agreement to support economic empowerment for persons with disabilities. The funding has been provided by the Government of India through the India-UN Development Partnership Fund initiative. While the Indian High Commission to Sierra Leone is not required to be a signatory to the agreement, the project reflects India’s enduring commitment to inclusive development through strategic partnerships.
Formalized during the 3rd Africa High-Level Forum on South-South and Triangular Cooperation for Sustainable Development at the Bintumani Conference Centre in Freetown, the project titled: “Enabling Economic Independence for Specially Abled Persons in Sierra Leone” will be implemented over the next three years. The Ministry of Social Welfare will lead national implementation efforts, with UNDP acting as the executing agency.
Minister of Social Welfare, Melrose Karminty, shared that the initiative took root during a high-level discussion last year in New York with India’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations. That dialogue, she said, sparked an opportunity to present the needs of persons with disabilities in Sierra Leone and attracted India’s interest in supporting economic empowerment for one of the country’s most vulnerable groups. “We raised the urgent challenges facing our disabled population and India responded with genuine commitment,” Melrose Karminty explained.
She highlighted the ongoing exclusion experienced by persons with disabilities and emphasized the project’s focus on rehabilitation, vocational training and equipping resource centers as part of a broader strategy to promote dignity and self-reliance. “Disability is not inability. We are determined to support persons with disabilities to become self-reliant and to contribute to their own sustainable development,” she affirmed.
The Minister also underscored that the initiative aligns directly with President Julius Maada Bio’s national vision to strengthen human capital development. She noted that no society can progress without unlocking the potential of its people, particularly those who have been left behind. “By investing in the capacity of persons with disabilities, we are strengthening the foundation of a more inclusive and resilient nation,” she added.
Indian High Commissioner to Sierra Leone, Baisnab Charan Pradhan, described the project as a shining example of South-South cooperation and a model for other stakeholders committed to social equity. He pointed out that its real impact would be measured not only by the number of beneficiaries, but by the transformation it brings to lives, families and communities. “This project is not just about how many people it will benefit. It is about the deeper change we seek to create in society,” he stated.
The High Commissioner expressed confidence in the sustainability of the initiative, referencing more than thirty successful projects already supported by the India-UNDP Development Partnership Fund in various countries. He praised UNDP’s technical capacity and its proven track record in delivering results that are both measurable and lasting. “When UNDP implements a project, it brings extensive experience to ensure quality, sustainability and meaningful outcomes,” he noted.
A cornerstone of the initiative is the direct involvement of persons with disabilities in both the design and implementation of project activities. This participatory approach aims to promote a sense of ownership, ensure accountability and tailor interventions to the actual needs and aspirations of those the project intends to serve.
This partnership signals a bold step forward in advancing disability inclusion and economic empowerment in Sierra Leone. By placing dignity and opportunity at the heart of its approach, the initiative sets a precedent for development cooperation built on equity, responsiveness and long-term social transformation.