The chairman of the umbrella body for disabled groups in The Gambia, Mr. Muhammed Kora recently asked the police to desist from arresting disabled people in connection with begging. Mr. Kora made his remarks at a gathering to mark world disability day held recently at KMC.

Mr. Kora said that begging by disabled people is quite common in Banjul but that if the state wants to see it stop then they should try and help provide for the needs of people with disabilities. These needs include training in methods of making a living, education and skills. If these needs were met, he said, begging would longer be an issue on the streets of any town from Brikama to Banjul.

He said that all people wish to see begging stop but that it must stop for the right reasons i.e. that those with disabilities who were begging are now being trained and educated with the necessary skills to make a living. He therefore finally reiterated his plea for the police not to arrest those with disabilities who are forced to beg in order to make ends meet.