23/05/2026
Disability Advocates Call for Honest Assessment and Full Implementation of the Disability Bill 2021
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Welfare, Hon. Fatou Kinteh, recently stated during an interview on Paradise TV that the Disability Bill 2021 is being actively implemented. While the Minister highlighted initiatives such as the establishment of the Disability Council, limited monthly allowances, and orthopaedic support through Social Welfare, disability advocates say these claims do not reflect the lived realities of persons with disabilities across The Gambia.
Speaking in response to the Minister’s remarks, disability advocate Ousman Jallow expressed deep concern over the widening gap between official statements and the daily struggles of persons with disabilities.
“We respect the Minister, but we must be honest with the public. The majority of persons with disabilities are not experiencing the support she described. The Disability Bill may be approved, but meaningful implementation is still missing,” Jallow said.
Critical Gaps in Services and Support
Advocates note that the Social Welfare rehabilitation centre — once a reliable provider of wheelchairs, repairs, and prosthetic services — is now unequipped and unable to meet basic needs.
Jallow recalled a time when:
•Wheelchairs were issued the same day.
•Repairs were done immediately.
•Prosthetic legs were provided free of charge
“Today, families are being told to buy materials for prosthetic legs. Many simply cannot afford it,” he added.
Growing Hardship and Rising Costs
Every day, persons with disabilities or their families reach out seeking:
•Wheelchairs
•Mobility equipment
•School support
•Food assistance
•Medication
Emergency help.
“This is not what implementation looks like,” Jallow stressed.
The cost of mobility equipment has also risen sharply. Wheelchairs that were once donated freely now cost between D5,000 and D15,000, largely due to high shipping and port charges.
Concerns Over Inclusion Across Disability Groups.
Disability rights activist Samba Jaiteh also highlighted that even when mobility equipment is provided, support is often not inclusive across all disability groups.
“Disability is a package, and all persons with disabilities should be catered for,” Jaiteh stated.
He explained that persons with visual and hearing impairments continue to face serious daily challenges due to inadequate assistive materials and support systems.
Jaiteh referenced the incident involving Alagie Ceesay, a visually impaired individual who sustained a fracture after being involved in an accident along the OIC Road, allegedly due to the lack of adequate white canes and mobility support.
He also highlighted concerns raised by a hard-of-hearing student regarding the challenges deaf students face during the WASSCE examinations, particularly in oral English and other components where interpretation and communication barriers remain inadequately addressed.
According to Jaiteh, visually impaired students equally face severe disadvantages during examinations.
“Can you imagine visually impaired students continuing to be penalised or under-marked for not being able to attempt questions involving diagrams simply because they cannot see to draw or label them? Most of these questions carry huge marks, leading to poor overall performance,” he said.
He further stated that many visually impaired students are still unable to effectively study mathematics due to the lack of accessible learning and examination materials.
“These are punishments for a crime people are innocent of. How can this be called standing for the rights of persons with disabilities? If this is what is referred to as implementation of the Disability Act, then I see no hope for the future,” Jaiteh added.
Call for Government Action.
Jallow appealed to the Government to:
•Reduce shipping and port fees for containers carrying mobility equipments.
•Encourage shipping agents and donors to resume free or affordable support.
•Strengthen the capacity of Social Welfare rehabilitation services>
A Call for Collaboration and Accountability
Jallow urged the Ministry, the Gambia Federation of the Disabled (GFD), the Disability Council, and all stakeholders to work transparently and collaboratively.
“Persons with disabilities are being failed every day. We need honesty, urgency, and a clear roadmap for implementation,” he said.
He also called on all Organisations of persons' with Disabilities (OPDs) to unite and advocate collectively.
“If we work together, we can push for at least 70% implementation of the Disability Bill by 2027. Disability rights are human rights, and we will continue to advocate until real change is achieved.”
Foundation for the Civic Rights of persons with Disabilities FCRPD Adama Hawa Camara Ousman Jallow
