By Solange Tegwi
Persons living with disabilities, alongside their caregivers flooded the esplanade of the Ministry of Social Affairs, MINAS, with unending gratitude as they received walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, from Minister Pauline Irène Nguene on December 22 to make their Christmas celebration memorable in connection with the 34th edition of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
This happened on the occasion of the donation ceremony of assistive devices by the Mary Alieh Foundation, within the framework of activities marking the International Day of Persons with Disabilities observed every 03rd December. This ceremony is an extension of that day which was celebrated under the theme, “Innovation for Inclusion: Building Inclusive Communities Together.”
The 2025 edition collectively highlights the need to combine the efforts of all stakeholders—namely the State, technical and financial partners, civil society, and the private sector—in order to sustainably remove the barriers that hinder the fulfillment and full participation of persons with disabilities in social, economic, and community life.
According to the Minister, the assistive devices made available —such as walkers, crutches, wheelchairs, and others—constitute one of the fundamental needs of persons with disabilities. They significantly contribute to improving mobility, autonomy, posture, and, more broadly, the quality of life of beneficiaries. Thanks to these technical aids, she continued, persons with disabilities can live with dignity, strengthen their autonomy, and participate in community development. This initiative aligns with United Nations recommendations and concretely reflects the spirit of the theme of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
Minister Pauline Irène Nguene expressed profound gratitude to the Mary Alieh Foundation for the noble actions, which significantly contribute to the implementation of the National Solidarity Framework aimed at combating social exclusion and promoting the rights of persons with disabilities, in line with the vision of the President of the Republic.
Access to such equipment remains a real obstacle; high costs, procurement procedures, and delivery delays continue to represent major challenges. Thus, the generosity of the Foundation was greatly welcomed, because it will undoubtedly improve the situation of the beneficiaries.
She underlined that the equipment donation ceremony is tangible proof of the commitment made towards the disabled and of the ministry’s determination to place their concerns at the heart of public action, thus pleaded with them to make good use of the assistive devices.
The Minister reiterated the efforts of her ministerial department to fostering disability-inclusive societies for advancing social progress. A disabled person in an accessible environment is a valid person, thus, the promotion and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities stands essential for real life inclusion. The representative of the NGO, in his conclusive word, underscored their relentless efforts to partner with MINAS in order to stand with the disabled, adding that having an issue of disability doesn’t reduce one’s humanity.
According to one of the beneficiaries, these assistive devices will go a long way to empower them. It will serve as tools to overcome functional limitations, enhancing independence in their daily living -self-care, mobility, communication, work, education- and boosting social inclusion. This will also greatly help to reduce the burden of caregivers as recipients become more independent with comfortable wheelchairs, walkers, and crutches.