In recent months, Liberia has drawn international attention for bold new steps toward disability inclusion. One of the most striking developments is a proposal by the National Commission on Disabilities (NCD) urging the government to allocate 15% of the national budget to disability-related programs. For a country where people with disabilities have long faced systemic exclusion and stigma, this call represents both a rallying cry and a major challenge.

Currently, Liberia allocates a very small fraction of its national resources to disability initiatives—the NCD’s budget has shrunk from about $629,000 to just $280,000 in recent years, even as the country grapples with widespread poverty and underdeveloped infrastructure . Meanwhile, the National Cadet Program recently announced that 10% of all new cadet positions would be reserved for people with disabilities, offering them paid internships in public offices, ministries, and NGOs.

Globally, Liberia’s proposed 15% target stands out as extremely high. In comparison, most developed nations allocate far less to direct disability programs. In the United States, disability-related spending—including Social Security Disability Insurance, Medicaid long-term supports, and similar services—amounts to about 5–6% of GDP, but these funds are embedded within broader social safety nets. Direct funding for specific disability programs (vocational rehab, assistive tech, accessibility infrastructure) typically remains under 1% of total federal spending.

Similarly, welfare-rich European nations like Sweden and Norway spend around 2–4% of their total budgets on disability services, while most lower-income countries spend below 1%, due to limited resources and competing development priorities.

Liberia’s national budget is approximately $700 million USD. If the government were to allocate the requested 15%, it would remit over $100 million—a dramatic leap from current funding levels. This proposal has sparked debate within Liberian civil society about how to balance inclusion, economic realities, and other urgent national needs.

My Thoughts

Perspective from experience As a person with a disability myself, I wholeheartedly support disability advocacy and inclusion worldwide. Representation in government, access to education, and meaningful employment are essential for empowerment. Yet it is equally important to recognize the stark difference between a large economy like the U.S. and a much smaller, lower-income nation like Liberia.

Comparative context The United States, for example, has a substantially larger economy—yet it doesn’t dedicate anywhere near 15% of its budget solely to disability programs. If it did, we might see faster progress in accessibility and services. Even though the U.S. is relatively accessible by global standards, there are still substantial gaps. This fact highlights how even well-resourced countries struggle with balancing funding priorities.

Balancing priorities realistically Dedicating a very large share of a country’s limited budget to disability programs at once risks reducing funding for other essential services—such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, and poverty alleviation—all of which also benefit people with disabilities. My concern is not to undermine disability rights, but to acknowledge that budgetary realities matter. Ensuring other critical social supports remain funded is important for holistic inclusion.

Cost-effective steps for inclusion There are numerous practical changes Liberia can implement without hefty funding. Public awareness campaigns, consistent enforcement of existing accessibility laws, and modest changes to public infrastructure can make a significant impact. As Liberia’s economy and global standing grow, it will be better positioned to allocate larger sums to disability programs. A practical, phased approach—supported by local NGOs, government partnerships, and international aid—can build sustainable inclusion over time.

A Question to Consider

Is it fair to ask a country that only makes around $700 million a year to spend 15% of its budget on disability programs and services? Should disability funding be proportionate to a country’s overall economic capacity, or treated as an urgent moral obligation regardless of cost?

Sources

: • Front Page Africa: [Liberia’s National Cadet Program Opens Slots for Persons with Disabilities]
• Front Page Africa: [NCD marks International Wheelchair Day, calls for accessible infrastructure]
• Ministry of Information, Cultural Affairs & Tourism (Govt. of Liberia): [PWDs call for Disability Equity Fund and note NCD budget is under 1%]
• Official NCD data: Annual budget drop from $629K to $280K