Rights commission worried over persistent discrimination against persons with disabilities.

The body has also expressed deep concern over recurrent physical barriers, insufficient access to information due to the continuous lack of sign language interpretation, and the weak enforcement of existing legal frameworks linked to the protection of PWDs.

The worries were raised in a statement the Deputy Chairman of the Commission, Dr Galega Gana Raphaël, issued on behalf of the institution’s head, Prof James Mouangue Kobila.

The statement was issued to mark the 34th edition of International Day of Persons with Disabilities, commemorated Wednesday, December 3, under the theme: “Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together”.

In the statement, Dr Galega Gana lauded efforts made by government to address the needs of Cameroon’s close to four million PWDs, per a World Report on Disability published by the World Health Organization and the World Bank in June 2011.

Regrets persistent discrimination, challenges 

Dr Galega Gana stated that despite the wide-ranging efforts which include the launching of “tactile voting folder” in Centre Region last September and recent organisation of a workshop for journalists and bloggers on the inclusive coverage of elections, there is still a massive ground to be covered. 

He said PWDs continue facing difficulties linked to physical barriers, accessing information, employment, protection and those relating to insufficiency and inadequacy in social protection programmes.

Dr Galega Gana said the commission is also concerned by the fact that many public infrastructures, including administrative buildings, schools, polling stations and hospitals “are still not genuinely accessible to persons with reduced mobility.”

He raised a similar alarm on insufficient access to information, stating that it remains a major barrier due to the frequent unavailability of sign language interpretation, braille documents and digital materials for persons living with visual impairment.

Dr Galega Gana frowned at the persistent discrimination in access to education due to the scarcity of educational material in braille and other discrimination in employment and healthcare for PWDs as well as discriminations that affect children with disabilities particularly those of them in rural areas.

“The commission remains deeply concerned by the inconsistent collaboration between parents and supervisory teams in support structures, for children with disabilities which undermines educational follow up and children support and limited awareness among some persons with disabilities and their families of the legal and regulatory provisions intended to benefit them,” Dr Galega Gana stated.

Dr Galega Gana said the commission is also “particularly concerned about the week representation of persons with disabilities in local decision-making and governance bodies, which limits their full and effective participation in public life.”

Risk of misappropriation of funds 

He mentioned the institution’s concern over the misappropriation of funds dedicated to boost the well-being of PWDs. 

“The commission also expresses concern over the risk of misappropriation, misallocation, or lack of traceability of public resources and funding intended for accessibility and inclusion programmes for persons with disabilities, this may undermine the effectiveness of planned actions and delay concrete improvements of their living conditions,” he stated.

Drums increase funds for bodies handling PWDs issues 

Dr Galega Gana also reiterated the Commission’s 2024 recommendations for government to increase budget allocations of public bodies responsible for the well-being, education, health and social development of PWDs, to improve the effective participation of PWDs in sustainable development initiatives.

He also recommended that the ministries of education, public and private training institutions employ more specialists, improve number of inclusive schools in rural and urban areas, to counter the rising needs of PWDs.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3649 of Monday December 08, 2025