The National Commission on Disability (NCD) inducted its new Executive Director into office on August 9, 2021, while the longest serving Director, Ricardia Dennis, bade farewell.
The appointment of Ambassador Daintowon Pay-Bayee came as a result of continued advocacy for the disabled community, which today led to her ascendancy to the highest peak of the National Commission on Disability.
From all indications, the program was held in a peaceful nature, and in attendance were people from diverse backgrounds: Gender Minister, Williametta Saydee-Tarr, the Swedish Embassy, Irish Embassy, UNDP, UNICEF, Ophelia Hoff-Saytumah, Women of Liberia, Loretta Alethea Pope Kai, National Civil Society Council, Ma. Kebbeh Monger, National Rural Women Structures, Esther S. David Yango, Women NGO’s Secretariat of Liberia, Coalition of Political Party Women in Liberia (COPPWIL), Adraian Z. Sandi, NCD Former Deputy Director for Technical Services, Theresa W. Bayoh, Director for Special & Inclusive Education (MOE), Naomi Harris, National Union of Organizations of the Disabled and host of other Disabled People Organizations (DPO’s).
In remarks, the Deputy Director for Technical Services, Joshua C. Bull, highlighted some historical facts about the agency, observing that the National Commission on Disability was established through a legal framework in November 2005 based on the advocacy of the disabled community.
Upon the passage into law, Robert K. Williams, Sr., became the first Acting Executive Director in 2006, serving up to 2010. Ricardia B. Dennis, who is now the outgoing Executive Director took the mantle of authority in 2010, the same year.
Meanwhile, he emphasized that people living with disability are currently among the vulnerable groups in Liberia, as they lack access to social, economic and political opportunities as compared to non-disabled persons, which he said he believed violates the UNCRPD provisions.
At the same time, Rose Dargbeh, proxy for the outgoing Executive Director, in brief remarks before turning over the mantle of authority to Pay-Bayee, read, “The administration of the National Commission on Disability represented by Rev. Fr. Boima is pleased to welcome you, Madam Daintowon Domah Pay-Bayee, to the NCD, and expresses our sincere willingness to work with you in addressing the numerous challenges faced by the disabled community. As you begin official duty as Chairperson and Executive Director of the commission, it is our hope that you will support the efforts of all departments at the commission to live up to its responsibility. On behalf of Madam Ricardia B. Dennis the outgoing Executive Director, I am pleased and delighted to officially turn over the mantle of authority to stir the affairs of this institution, the National Commission on Disability.
“This turned over note is also intended to provide you with the current status of major activities this commission has been undertaking during the past few years, as well as challenges that are impeding the effectiveness of our departments,” Rose Dargbeh read.
In the same vein, she outlined the scope of operation surrounding the agency during the years under review, adding that it runs on five major departments: administrative, technical, finance, procurement and the human resource department.
For his part, Rev. Boima cautioned the Executive Director to take clue of the information and govern well, noting that the agency is a disabled organization and whoever is appointed to lead bears some form of disability. “By bearing such mark, you must have understood that NCD is responsible to guard and protect the interest of all persons living with disability,” Rev. Boima stated.
“In Liberia we have several categories, but we are currently focusing on three (3), which include physically challenged, deaf and visually impaired people. These three sectors work mainly in this commission, and together we have been able to promote and managed the welfare of people with disability.
“Therefore, we expect you to help us in the management of the commission by ensuring that the rights and privileges of people living with disability are respected as well as dealing with unemployment, which poses a serious threat to our livelihood,” Rev. Boima asserted.
In special remarks, the Executive Director acknowledged the blessings of God, and thanked her beloved family members who stood in the gap for her especially during the difficult times.
“In my position as Executive Director, I want to extend my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to President George Weah for his preferment. As Secretary General for political affairs of COPPWIL, I had the opportunity in 2019 to go with the executives for a meeting, and there I realized that President Weah was someone who does not care about the political party you come from, and he did not carry the flag of Liberia across the world for nothing.
“That moment was my second encounter with him, and when the opportunity came all my life ensuring the privilege I enjoyed from my family as a disabled person should impact my fellow colleagues across Liberia and those in the diaspora.
“I have never been a person with disability in my family, and whenever I share my story with others I tell them that I walked, according to my parents, but at age 5 this unforeseen circumstances came about. So in this manner, I want to recognize the mother that put me on her back when I was crawling on my hands up to 1992,” Director Pay-Bayee noted.
In her final message, she flagged the issue of inclusion for disabled people while encouraging parents who discriminate against their children to desist from it and allow the children become good people in society. Furthermore, she maintained that her leadership will continue from where her predecessor had stopped, and vowed to treat all persons with disability equal for the forward match of the institution.