Yesterday, the air in Yaoundé changed. As the plane carrying Pope Leo XIV touched down, it wasn’t just a leader of a church arriving; it was a message of hope landing on Cameroonian soil. Today, that message travels to Bamenda, a city that has long thirsted for peace and the cooling waters of comfort.

But as the Holy Father meets the people of the Northwest Region, an important cry for justice is rising from the crowd. For persons with disabilities in Cameroon, this visit must be more than a passing blessing; it must be a turning point for true inclusion.

We are calling on the Pope and the leadership of the Church to look deeply into a painful exclusion that persists within the holy walls. Today, if a young man with a physical disability feels a divine calling to the priesthood, or a young woman seeks to serve as a Reverend Sister, they often find the doors firmly shut. They are frequently told that their physical limitations disqualify them from the consecrated life.

This is not inclusion. If the Church teaches that we are all made in the image of God, then a disability should never be a barrier to serving Him. We are asking the Church to recognize that a vocation is a calling of the spirit, and the spirit knows no physical bounds. To exclude someone from holy orders based on a disability is to deny the diversity of God’s own creation

Furthermore, this call for inclusion must extend beyond the clergy to the laity and every facet of Church administration. Persons with disabilities should not only be welcomed as congregants but should be empowered to hold positions in Church leadership and management. Their expertise and perspectives are important in the management of Church businesses and economic ventures, ensuring that the Body of Christ utilizes the talents of all its members.

This transformation also requires a commitment to complete accessibility within the Church’s infrastructure and services. Every parish must be physically navigable, removing the architectural barriers that prevent full participation. Beyond the physical, there must be a major change in how the Word of God is shared. This includes providing liturgical materials in accessible formats, offering Sign Language interpretation during services. Additionally, Church-run institutions like schools and hospitals must lead by example, becoming centers of excellence for inclusive education and healthcare where no person is sidelined due to their physical or sensory condition.

The beauty of this visit is how it has brought different Christians together. As Baptists and Presbyterians etc. stand beside their Catholic brothers and sisters in Bamenda today, they prove that unity is possible. We must now use that same unity to advocate for our brothers and sisters with disabilities.

We appeal to Pope Leo XIV: let your visit to Cameroon be the spark that opens the doors for all regardless of disability. Let the Church lead the way for the state by showing that every human being has a purpose, a voice, and a right to lead. When we finally include persons with disabilities in the priesthood and religious life, only then can we truly say we are walking in the light of Christ’s love.

CUAPWD proposes the establishment of an international fair dedicated to disability inclusion within the sectors of trade, economics, and agriculture. This initiative stems from the recognition that Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and individual entrepreneurs with disabilities face significant, systemic barriers when attempting to enter these industries.

It is important for the global community to remember that persons with disabilities represent 16% of the world’s population that is 1 in 6 people have a disability. Despite being the world’s largest minority group, they remain largely marginalized in the global marketplace. Ensuring that this demographic can engage in meaningful participation is essential for equitable global development.

To address these gaps, we call upon the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other international bodies to examine these challenges closely. By championing inclusive trade policies and supporting a dedicated international forum, the WTO can help transform international trade into an accessible engine for empowerment and economic independence for all.

The 230 Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) under CUAPWD Network along with other OPDs across Cameroon, Africa, and the world are looking to identify opportunities arising from the visitors representing 166 nations at the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in terms of funding, trade, economics, and agriculture targeting persons with disabilities

By identifying these opportunities, they can leverage these resources to improve the quality of life for all persons with disabilities. Through this, they will be fully empowered to better their communities at the local, national, and international levels.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) provides a powerful roadmap for equality,  starting with the protection of our youngest citizens. Under Article 7, states must ensure that children with disabilities enjoy all human rights on an equal basis with others, always prioritizing the best interest of the child. Complementing this, Article 8 mandates active awareness-raising to combat stereotypes and promote the capabilities of persons with disabilities, ensuring society sees the person before the disability.

Economic Independence and Labor Rights

Economic independence is a fundamental pillar of dignity, and Article 27 explicitly protects the right to work in an environment that is open, inclusive, and accessible. This includes prohibiting discrimination in hiring and ensuring reasonable accommodation is provided so everyone can perform their duties effectively.

Cultivating Inclusion in Agriculture

Beyond the office and the factory, Article 28 highlights the right to an adequate standard of living, which includes equal access to agricultural opportunities. True inclusion means ensuring farmers with disabilities have equal access to land ownership, credit, and climate-resilient farming technologies. By removing the barriers that exist, we make sure that everyone participates equally.

In Cameroon, these international standards are reinforced by specific national protections. Law N° 2010/002 of 13 April 2010 and Decree N° 2018/6233/PM of July 2018 serve as the primary legal tools for the protection and promotion of persons with disabilities. While these laws exist on paper, their implementation is overdue. The time for tangible change is now.

We urge the WTO to include disability inclusion as a pivotal discussion point during the 14th Ministerial Conference in Cameroon.

Motto: Nothing Without us

The Community Resource Center for the Disabled and the Disadvantaged (CRCDD), an OPD under CUAPWD network, joined other women in the Archdiocese of Bamenda to commemorate Women’s Day with the Archbishop, His Grace Andrew Nkea Fuanya, at the St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Big Mankon. The event, which took place on the 25th of March, 2026, started with a solemn Holy Mass, setting a spiritual foundation for the entire program. This celebration brought together women from various Christian backgrounds in a shared moment of prayer, thanksgiving, and reflection.

Leading the delegation was the CEO of CRCDD, Limen Florence, who headed her association in active participation throughout the day’s events. Following the Mass, the event transitioned into a more public and celebratory phase with a march past involving different women’s groups, including the CRCDD, the Catholic Women’s Association, staff from various Catholic hospitals, Catholic schools, and widows. Marching forward highlighted both organization and inclusivity, especially by recognizing groups that is made up of persons with disabilities.  This segment demonstrated unity, cohesion, and identity among the participants. Following the march past, there were singing presentations, cultural performances and exhibitions that showcased the diversity and talents of the women involved.

At the close of the event, the Archbishop shared food items; including two bags of rice, five liters of groundnut oil, Savon, and a bucket to all the groups present.

Persons with disabilities are the world’s largest minority. One in six people on our planet live with a disability, 80% of them in low and middle income countries that typically rely heavily on agriculture.

To develop Cameroon and the world, agriculture should be treated as a modern business rather than just a survival tactic by focusing on moving from raw farming to industrial processing. By investing in better seeds and technology to increase yields, countries can ensure everyone has enough to eat while creating millions of stable jobs for young people, which is the most effective way to lift the poorest families out of poverty.

Persons with disabilities often face barriers that limit their participation. These challenges ranges from access to land, lack of supportive tools, physical restrictions to social stigmas. Yet, farming can be adapted to suit people with different abilities. With the right techniques, tools, and community support, persons with disabilities can become successful farmers, earn income, and contribute meaningfully to food security.

Persons with disabilities in Cameroon and the world at large are keen to see how the 14th Ministerial Conference of the WTO will promote inclusive agriculture

The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO); held every two years since 1996 and serving as the organization’s highest decision-making body; will be held this year in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from the 26th to the 29th of March 2026.

The conference, which will be chaired by Cameroon’s Minister of Trade, Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, will bring together trade ministers from across the world to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the multilateral trading system and to take action on the future work of the WTO.
While Cameroon is expecting more than 4,000 delegates and visitors from 166 nations, Acting Minister of Tourism and Leisure Gabriel Mbairobe inspected facilities designated for the conference, indicating that Cameroon is ready.

Who is the WTO?

The WTO  is the only global group that manages the rules of trade between different countries. At its core are special trade agreements. These deals are discussed and signed by most of the world’s trading nations and are officially approved by their own governments.
The main goal of the WTO is to use trade to make life better for everyone. According to its founding rules, the organization works to improve people’s living standards, create better jobs, and support growth that protects the environment.

The WTO manages the global system of trade rules and helps developing countries grow their ability to trade with others. It also gives its members a place to talk, make new trade deals, and solve any trade problems they have with each other. Overall, the WTO exists to help countries use trade to create jobs and improve the lives of their citizens.

What can the WTO do to support persons with disabilities?

A majority of the Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) under CUAPWD’s coordination depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

To support persons with disabilities, the WTO can create fair rules that lower the cost of seeds and essential assistive farming tools, while ensuring small-scale farmers have equal access to global markets. By intentionally including OPDs both nationally and internationally in the 14th Ministerial Conference, the WTO can move beyond slogans and pass a formal declaration that requires all 166 member nations to protect disability rights in every new trade law. This meaningful inclusion ensures that trade becomes a real tool for dignity; helping rural farmers with disabilities secure better jobs, fairer prices for their harvests, and a future where no one is left behind.