Mr. Abubakarr Bangura is a dynamic advocate for disability rights and youth empowerment in Sierra Leone, serving as the Country Representative for the African Youth with Disability Network (AYWDN) and also Team-Lead, Physical Disability- United Nations Partnership on the Right of Persons with Disabilities (UNPRPD) in Sierra Leone. His work centers around ensuring that young people with disabilities are given the voice, platforms, and opportunities to thrive in a society that often marginalizes them.

Mr. Abubakarr Bangura has made significant strides in promoting inclusive development, human rights, and policy reforms that benefit the disabled community across the country and the continent.

Born and raised in Sierra Leone, his personal journey is deeply intertwined with the challenges and triumphs of living with a disability in a developing nation.

From a young age, he was acutely aware of the societal barriers that limited opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Despite these challenges, he demonstrated remarkable resilience and determination to not only advocate for himself but for others facing similar situation and obstacles.

Growing up, he was deeply inspired by community leaders and social justice movements that emphasized equity and inclusion. This inspiration fueled his desire to make a lasting impact on the lives of disabled youth across Africa, motivating him to become an outstanding voice and leader in disability rights advocacy.

He pursued education with a passion for social justice and inclusion. He worked diligently through his schooling, where he developed strong skills in leadership, communication, and public engagement.

Understanding the importance of education for empowerment, he consistently advocated for access to quality education for young people with disabilities, both in his community and nationally.

His academic journey led him to focus on issues of disability rights, inclusion policies, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Over the years, he became well-versed in the intersectionality of youth issues, disability rights, and economic empowerment, positioning himself as an expert and leader in these areas.

As the Country Representative for the African Youth with Disability Network (AYWDN) in Sierra Leone. Mr. Abubakarr Bangura spearheads initiatives that promote the inclusion of young people with disabilities in all spheres of life. The AYWDN is a continental network that advocates for the rights of disabled youth, ensuring that their voices are represented in policy-making processes, development initiatives, and community programs.

In his role, Abubakarr is responsible for leading advocacy campaigns for disability rights and inclusion, coordinating with government bodies, international organizations, and civil society to promote policies that improve the livelihoods of disabled youth, organizing capacity-building programs to equip young people with disabilities with skills for education, employment, and entrepreneurship, creating awareness campaigns to combat stigma and discrimination against persons with disabilities, strengthening partnerships with local and international organizations to further disability-inclusive development agendas.
Under his leadership, the AYWDN in Sierra Leone has seen an expansion of its outreach and advocacy efforts, ensuring that more young people with disabilities are integrated into national agenda and discussions on youth empowerment, social inclusion, and economic growth.

In Policy Advocacy, Mr. Abubakarr Bangura has played a pivotal role in influencing government policies that promote disability rights, particularly those that seek to ensure that disabled youth have access to education, healthcare, and employment.

In Capacity Building, he has led numerous training programs and workshops that provide disabled youth with the tools and skills necessary to become active participants in their communities and the workforce. These efforts have focused on entrepreneurship, vocational skills training, and leadership development.

In Inclusive Development, through his work, Mr. Bangura has fostered partnerships with both local and international organizations to ensure that development programs in Sierra Leone are inclusive of persons with disabilities.

He has worked with international donors to secure funding for disability-inclusive programs, ensuring that disabled youth have access to opportunities for growth and success.

In Awareness and Advocacy Campaigns, Mr. Abubakarr Bangura has organized several public outreach campaigns aimed at raising awareness of the challenges faced by people with disabilities. These campaigns have focused on changing public perceptions and advocating for greater societal acceptance of persons with disabilities.

Overall, Mr. Abubakarr Bangura envisions a Sierra Leone and an Africa where persons with disabilities are fully integrated into society, free from stigma and barriers to opportunity.

He is committed to pushing for stronger legal frameworks that protect the rights of disabled persons and ensure equal access to resources.
In the coming years, Mr. Abubakarr Bangura aims to establish more inclusive education programs that specifically cater to the needs of disabled youth, expand AYWDN’s reach across all districts in Sierra Leone, ensuring that no young person with a disability is left behind, continue advocating for comprehensive disability laws and their implementation, making sure that the rights of persons with disabilities are protected and upheld by the government, promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among disabled youth, creating pathways for financial independence and sustainable livelihoods.

Mr. Abubakarr Bangura is deeply committed to the values of equity, inclusion, and empowerment. His life and work are driven by the belief that every individual, regardless of their physical ability, deserves the right to lead a fulfilling life with dignity. He draws inspiration from the resilience of his peers within the disability community and remains dedicated to amplifying their voices.
As a changemaker, Mr. Bangura’s legacy is built on the premise that society thrives when every member is given an equal opportunity to contribute. Through his advocacy, he hopes to see a world where disabled youth are not only included but are recognized as leaders and innovators.

Mr. Abubakarr Bangura stands as a passionate advocate for the rights of disabled youth in Sierra Leone and across Africa. His leadership, commitment to inclusive development, and relentless advocacy for disability rights have not only empowered countless young people but have also helped shift societal perspectives on disability. Through his work with the African Youth with Disability Network, he continues to build a more inclusive future where the voices and contributions of disabled youth are valued and celebrated.