Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has launched a special registration drive to issue free national ID cards to persons with disabilities (PWDs), aiming to enhance inclusion and access to essential public services.
The exercise began on Saturday at NCRA headquarters in Freetown, where Director General Mohamed Mubashir Massaquoi oversaw the deployment of a mobile registration team. The team will register residents from three major disabled communities: Pademba Road, ECOWAS Street, and House of Jesus, following formal requests from community representatives citing the difficulty many PWDs face in affording the standard SLL145 registration fee.
“This is not just about issuing ID cards; it’s about recognizing the rights and dignity of every citizen,” said Mr. Massaquoi. “Access to identification is critical for healthcare, education, financial services, and mobile connectivity.”
The first phase registered 120 PWDs, with beneficiaries receiving ID cards free of charge through government support and strategic partnerships. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the initiative. Sinneh Conteh from Pademba Road remarked, “For years, many of us have lived without proper identification. Today, thanks to the government and NCRA, we now have access to services that others take for granted.”
Officials said the program will expand to include other underserved groups after evaluating the pilot phase. The initiative is expected to promote socioeconomic inclusion, strengthen national security, and accelerate Sierra Leone’s digital transformation.
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