Urges Amendment Of The Liberian Constitution
PHOTO: Mr. Beyan Kota, President of CAB
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) has called for the amendment portions of the Liberian Constitution, in order to remove all the clauses that discriminate against people with disabilities
CAB’s President, Beyan Kota noted that the clause in the Liberian Constitution that says once a person is disabled, he or she cannot hold any government office is discriminatory.
Speaking at the program marking the 41st anniversary of the national resource school of the blind by CAB, Mr. Kota disclosed that the United Nations Committee on Disabilities will soon be engaging the Liberian government on the need to amend the Liberian Constitution purposely to re-phrase that particular clause to suit everybody.
“There is a need to amend the law or re-write it so as to suite everybody without discrimination so as insert a clause that speak to the issue rather discriminating,” he said; adding: “the abnormal people should also be given the rights to exercise their franchise.”
Mr. Kota, who is a long-time prominent advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities, called on the Liberian government to begin the implementation of the policy on work and employment of blind people in public and private institutions in the county
The CAB’s President disclosed that the Christian Association of the Blind and the Civil Service Agency have both completed the policy on the work and employment of the blind a little while ago.
Meanwhile, Mr. Kota has been officially elected at the Representative of the West African Region on the board of the World Council of the Blind.
According to Mr. Kota, these positions have placed him in the right position to advocate for the blind people in Liberia on the international stage.
During the program, CAP President presented three computers to the best performing students and encouraged them to continue their studies.
The Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia,
The recent program marking the 41st anniversary of the CAB national resource school of the blind by CAB which was held in Paynesville, was graced by representatives of the United Nations Children Fund, the Liberia School of the Blind, students, among others.