From our own correspondent
The Director General of the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA), Mr. Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI, has been recognized by the National Commission for Persons with Disability (NCPD) as a Disability Ambassador for his outstanding commitment to advancing disability inclusion and accessibility in Sierra Leone’s national identity system.
The official recognition ceremony took place in Freetown, where NCPD officials praised Mr. MASSAQUOI for his leadership and dedication to ensuring that persons with disabilities are not left behind in the country’s civil registration and identity management process.
Speaking during the event, the Executive Secretary of the NCPD, Mr. Sahr Lamin Kortequee, described the NCRA Director General as “a visionary and inclusive leader who has worked tirelessly to promote the rights and recognition of persons with disabilities through institutional reforms and accessible services.”
He noted that under Mr. Massaquoi’s stewardship, the NCRA had implemented several disability-friendly measures, including accessible registration centers, inclusive communication materials, and improved data systems that reflect the presence and needs of persons with disabilities across the country.
In his response, Mr. MASSAQUOI expressed heartfelt appreciation to the Commission for the honour and reaffirmed his commitment to continue championing disability rights within public administration.
“Every Sierra Leonean deserves to be seen, counted, and recognized, regardless of ability,” he stated. “Through our work at the NCRA, we are building a system that includes everyone — where persons with disabilities have equal access to national identity and civil registration services.”
He further pledged to strengthen collaboration with the NCPD and other partners to enhance inclusion in national policies and development planning.
The event attracted representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, and disability advocacy groups, all of whom commended the NCRA’s inclusive approach to service delivery.
The recognition, according to the NCPD, symbolizes a growing national effort to integrate disability inclusion into all aspects of governance, aligning with Sierra Leone’s commitments under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 10 — reducing inequalities.
Mr. Massaquoi’s recognition adds to his list of achievements as one of Sierra Leone’s most progressive public servants, noted for driving digital transformation and inclusive governance at the NCRA.
