Commemorative activities took place yesterday at the National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities in Yaounde.

Cameroon has joined the international community to commemorate the 24^th edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on the theme; “inclusion matters: access and empowerment for people of all abilities”. During an event to mark the day at the Cardinal Paul Emile Leger National Centre for the Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities, yesterday December 3, 2015, the Minister of Social Affairs, Pauline Iréne Nguene, called on the entire community to project into the future while proposing new actions that will contribute to the full participation of persons with disabilities for an emerging Cameroon by 2035.

It was an occasion for IAI Cameroon to handover training scholarships to the Minister of Social Affairs for the benefit of persons with disabilities. While highlighting efforts made by the government not only in improving living conditions of persons with disabilities but also ensuring that they fully integrate in the development of the country, Pauline Iréne Nguene asked the population to imagine a harmonious and durable development of the country which does not take into specific consideration the needs of 15 per cent of its population that are living with disabilities.

The Minister of Social Affairs said the right to participate in public life is essential to create stable democracies, active citizenship and reduce inequalities in society. As such, Pauline Iréne Nguene said persons with disabilities must be able to fulfill their role in society and participate on an equal basis with others for it is important to focus on the ability and not on the disability of an individual.

On his message to the international community, the Secretary General of the United Nations, Ban Ki Moon, in a speech read during the event, said building a sustainable, inclusive world for all requires the full engagement of people of all abilities.  According to Ban Ki Moon, “the 2030 Agenda includes many issues of concern to persons with disabilities and there is need to work together to transform commitments into action. As the world looks ahead, Ban Ki Moon noted “we need to strengthen development policies and practices to ensure that accessibility is part of inclusive and sustainable development. 

This requires improving our knowledge of the challenges facing all persons with disabilities to ensure that they are empowered to create and use opportunities. While several government ministers joined persons with disabilities to wine and dine, persons with disabilities displayed their know-how in songs and dance as well as artistic works.