As NCRA Offers Free ID Cards to PWD

In a landmark move toward inclusive governance and national identity management, the National Civil Registration Authority (NCRA) has launched a special registration drive to provide free national ID cards to Persons with Disabilities (PWDs). The initiative commenced on Saturday at the NCRA Headquarters in Freetown, where the Director General, Mohamed Mubashir MASSAQUOI, personally oversaw the deployment of a special mobile registration team tasked with carrying out this crucial exercise.

This initiative follows a formal appeal made by representatives from three major disabled communities – Pademba Road, ECOWAS Street, and House of Jesus – who highlighted the pressing challenge of affording the standard SLL145 fee required for ID issuance.

Many members of these communities rely on daily street handouts and are unable to bear the financial burden of securing a legal identity.

Speaking at the event, Mr MASSAQUOI emphasised the government’s commitment to inclusive national development and identity registration: “This is not just about issuing ID cards; it’s about recognising the rights and dignity of every citizen. Access to identification is critical for healthcare, education, financial services, and mobile connectivity. We want to ensure that even the most marginalised are not left behind,” he stated.

The Director General revealed that, following a consultative meeting held on Tuesday with PWD community leaders, the NCRA swiftly moved to implement the first phase of this outreach, which began with 120 PWDs from the aforementioned communities.

Beneficiaries of this initiative have lauded the effort. Sinneh Conteh, a disabled citizen from Pademba Road, expressed deep gratitude on behalf of his community:

“For years, many of us have lived without proper identification. Today, thanks to the government and NCRA, we now have access to the services that others take for granted. This is not just a card – it’s a key to inclusion.”

Aminata Mansaray, a beneficiary from ECOWAS Street, and Samuel Palmer, PWDs Coordinator, also hailed the leadership and vision of Mr MASSAQUOI, noting that the gesture reflects a government that listens and acts decisively on the needs of its people.

The national ID is increasingly central to life in Sierra Leone – from banking and telecommunications to public services. The lack of an ID can result in a citizen being effectively excluded from the formal economy and national development agenda.

As such, Mr. Massaquoi reiterated that this is not a one-off event but the beginning of broader engagements with the disabled community:

“The disabled community is vast, and while we may not be able to provide for every single person immediately, we are committed to consulting and expanding this initiative where possible. Today marks the beginning of that journey.”

He also reaffirmed that the ID cards would be completely free of charge, made possible through government support and strategic partnerships.

The NCRA plans to monitor and assess the success of this pilot phase and explore how similar services can be extended to other vulnerable and underserved communities nationwide.

Stakeholders and observers have commended this approach, noting its potential to boost national security, socioeconomic inclusion, and digital transformation, as the ID system becomes more integrated across sectors.

As Sierra Leone moves toward a more inclusive and digitised future, initiatives like this underscore the importance of equity in public service delivery and reflect a growing national commitment to ensuring that no Sierra Leonean is left behind.