By Garmah Never Lomo,garmahlomo@gmail.com
A group of Albinos in Liberia have been protesting in Monrovia in front of President George Weah’s offices at the Foreign Ministry, demanding increase in their budget that was recently affected by harmonization process.
The Chief Executive Director of the Albino Society in Liberia, Madam Patricia Logan said that their budget was 150 thousand United States dollars in the last national fiscal budget but in the recent harmonization scheme, it was cut to 75 Thousand United States dollars, something she described as a “difficult to handle the affair of the institution.”
Madam Logan told Journalists during their protest on Tuesday, October 8, 2019, that Aalbinism is not a crime or disease, but rather it is natural gift from God. So therefore, she said they should not be discriminated in society.
Liberia Albinos Association leader disclosed that albinos in other countries live like a complete white people. But according to her, in Liberia they have stigmatized in their respective communities.
She said during the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s administration, the Albinos budget was constant, which could cater to all of their programs.
Madam Logan further stated their cars used to be taken to the GBK garage but now their car is always taken to the local low-level food center known as “lappa be door”, describing it as very unfortunate for their condition.
Narrating further, Madam Logan said in the susides from government, they have budget and operational funds to run their institution.
She added that their Medical Center does not have drugs putting the direct beneficiaries in serious condition. The Association is about to lose the facility they are currently using, Madam Logan said.
The Albinos Association leader explained that there are no scholarships for children to go to school at all and entire institution is paralyzed and has applied all effort to meet government but to no avail, something she said left them with no alternative but to take to the street.
She however said the social department works tirelessly on a daily basis to the extent that some men even go ahead denying their own babies, because they are albino.
And if that happens, women with Albinism have to take the responsibility of that child and even put them school up to high school level.
The Executive Director of the group added that it has come to a point everything has collapsed in the system and sometimes, they have to collect twenty-five Liberia dollars to put credit in their electricity meter.
For his part, the deputy Minister for planning and policy at the Ministry of Gender Children and social protection, Hasan Kanneh assured them that the Ministry will apply all effort by going to the Ministry of Finance development planning to address their plight.
Deputy Minister Kanneh said that he will see reason to cater their concerns but cannot promise them until the budget is pass.
Planning and policy Minister at Gender Ministry said there has been no challenges between them and Albino society, but rather negotiation and will also negotiate with central government in addressing their needs.