By Ashu Manfred.
The president of Meme Persons with Disabilities, MEPEWIDA, Shadrack Bea Nanje , has said there is a high rate of exclusion and discrimination at all levels of persons with disabilities in Meme.
He made the allegation on the occasion of the celebration of the 2024 edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities that took place at the Kumba 1 Council Hall on Wednesday 18th December 2024. The international day of persons with Disabilities is celebrated every December 3. MEPEWIDA shifted the celebration due to the election of an executive of the association that took place early December.
In his address, Shadrack Bea Nanje explained that the celebration in Meme Division was shifted to a different date due to the election of the new executive bureau of the association,in which he was re- elected as president.
He further explained that the international day of persons with Disabilities was proclaimed in 1990 by the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 43/ 7, adding that the observance is aimed to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity,rights and well-being of persons with Disabilities. Cameroon first celebrated the international day of persons with Disabilities in 1955..
After chronicling the history of the international day of persons with disabilities, Shadrack Bea Nanje stated that MEPEWIDA created in 2014 is a platform of associations of persons with disabilities made up of 25 associations in all the five subdivisions that make up Meme, adding that the aim of MEPEWIDA is to coordinate, coach, orientate, advocate, monitor and evaluate the activities of persons with disabilities in Meme.
After this explanation, he listed 17 challenges persons with Disabilities face in Meme Division ; among them high rate of exclusion and discrimination by local administration in the various subdivisions, exclusion to political participation, the misuse of the identity of persons with disabilities for self gain , non respect of the ten % of Government employment as specified by the law.
He also alleged that the Decentralization law put in place by President Paul Biya is not well felt by persons with disabilities in Meme. He also claimed that some principals, and head teachers do not respect the law exempting children with disabilities from paying school fees.
Despite the catalogue of challenges, he stated persons with disabilities live in the same society with their able-bodied brothers and sisters.
Before the celebration rose, he promised to carry sweeping positive changes of meow in line with President Biya’s Vision 2035.
The Meme Delegate of Social Affairs, who also addressed the celebration said the international day of celebration of will never stop being celebrated because of the crisis’
A medical team from the Manyemen annex hospital Kumba was on hand to test HIV, and hepatitis B.
