In the largest launch gathering in Africa Region so far, the Republic of Sierra Leone signed their commitment to advance inclusive sport and education opportunities for students with intellectual disabilities by joining the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion.
The ceremony took place on Friday, 29 May in Freetown, Sierra Leone under the energetic leadership of Honorable Ibrahim Sannoh, Minister of Youth Affairs. Alongside senior government officials, Special Olympics athletes, families and Unified partners joined to celebrate the event as a milestone for recognition of the rights of all students, with and without intellectual disabilities, in the classroom and on the playing field.
According to Minister Sannoh, the mission of the Global Coalition for Inclusion could not be better aligned with the mandate of his Ministry. In Sierra Leone, 70% of people with disabilities, including those with intellectual disabilities, are youth. He added that the government is shifting its perspective from viewing disability as a charitable issue to recognizing inclusion as a fundamental matter of systemic justice. This includes the enforcement of strict diversity quotas against youth-focused programs.
Persons with intellectual disabilities remain one of the most unseen and unheard groups in Sierra Leone. This transition is crucial for ensuring that the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities are adequately addressed within national policies.
Minister Sannoh called for more rigorous statistical tracking in national data collection efforts for people with intellectual disabilities, to address the needs that have gone overlooked in the past. “This oversight has significant implications for resource allocation, policy development, and the overall visibility of this population within national planning frameworks,” he added. This lack of data prevents policymakers from designing specialized healthcare, tailored educational programs, and inclusive sports initiatives.
Special Olympics Sierra Leone was joined at the event by key partner organizations—including the Lions Clubs International, UNICEF, the National Commission for Persons with Disability, Amnesty International, the Red Cross Society, and representatives from the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces and Sierra Leone Police. Throughout the formalities, hospitality and support was extended by several national bodies including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, the Ministry of Economic Development, Commissioners of the Sierra Leone Scouts Association, the Makuta Aminata Wurie Charity Organization, the Manahim Orphanage and the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital.
The partnership was formalized through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone and Special Olympics Sierra Leone, by Minister Sannoh and Justin Bambay Kamara, National Director of Special Olympics Sierra Leone.
“By joining the Global Coalition, the Government of the Republic of Sierra Leone has demonstrated a clear commitment to ensuring that no child is left behind. This moment signals the beginning of a transformative journey that will create lasting opportunities for athletes and their families across the country.”
Through this partnership, there is a strengthened commitment by the Government of Sierra Leone and Special Olympics Sierra Leone to promote equal opportunities, social inclusion, and community development for all citizens regardless of ability. Sierra Leone will expand Special Olympics Unified Sports® programs nationwide, bringing together students with and without intellectual disabilities to play on the same teams while strengthening inclusive school environments. By utilizing sports as a tool for social cohesion and confidence building, the partnership aims to break down societal stigmas surrounding intellectual disabilities.
The event was supported by the presence of Charles Nyambe, President and Managing Director, Special Olympics Africa Region, Shawn Ferguson, Chief Global Government Relations Officer from Special Olympics International, and a virtual engagement by Dr Tim Shriver, Chair of Special Olympics International.
The Coalition, made possible by a generous grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), is strengthened by key global and civic stakeholders including Lions Clubs International Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Fondation Botnar, and textile brand H&M Move. Together, their support helps drive community-based inclusion efforts worldwide.
For more information and ongoing initiatives, visit Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion.
