– Minister Kruah Promises to Establish a Disability Desk
Monrovia, Liberia – On September 17, 2025, Labour Minister Cllr. Cooper W. Kruah, Sr., officially launched the National Roadmap on Decent Work for Persons with Disabilities in Liberia. During the event, held at the Ministry of Labour, Minister Kruah announced his administration will establish a dedicated Disability Desk within the Ministry. This desk will serve as a central hub for coordinating policies, monitoring progress, and ensuring accountability for including people with disabilities in employment.
Minister Kruah emphasized that the roadmap is a crucial step toward building an inclusive work environment where people with disabilities can participate fully, safely, and productively. He stated that the priorities outlined in the roadmap will be integrated into the National Labour Plan, ensuring that disability inclusion is a core part of the nation’s labor priorities rather than a separate initiative.
“We recognize that the right to decent work for persons with disabilities can only be achieved when workplaces are made accessible, when safety and fairness are guaranteed, and when employment opportunities are both gainful and sustainable,” Minister Kruah said. He stressed that this requires the combined efforts of the government, employers, civil society, and communities.
Minister Kruah commended the Coordinated Action on Disabilities in Liberia (CAD-L) Project for its role in developing the roadmap. He also thanked the Swedish Government, represented by the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), for their unwavering support.
Also speaking at the event, Acting President General of the Liberia Labour Congress (LLC), Oretha Carpenter, said the roadmap aims to create an inclusive and suitable environment for people with disabilities in the workplace. She explained that it will serve as a guiding framework to advance inclusion, strengthen policy, and foster partnerships among government, civil society, the private sector, and international stakeholders.
Samuel Dean, Executive Director of the National Commission on Disability, praised Minister Kruah for providing jobs to some members of the commission through a vacation work program. Dean highlighted that social stigma has hindered the progress of people with disabilities and called for more programs and initiatives to provide employment platforms for them in both the private and public sectors. He concluded by urging continuous collaboration to fulfill the roadmap’s goals.
In a brief address, Laura Todescato, Chief of Party of AIFO, noted that the roadmap is a tri-partite agreement established five years ago. She summarized its five key areas: Accessibility, Public Finance, Training, Education and Awareness/Advocacy, and Employment. These areas, she said, are essential steps the Liberian government should take to address issues affecting people with disabilities.
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