ECOWAS Champions Inclusion Program: Launches Assistive Devices Initiative for Children with Disabilities in Benin Republic.
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By Raymond Enoch
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has held an advocacy workshop to raise awareness about its groundbreaking program aimed at providing assistive devices to children with disabilities in Benin Republic. The initiative is part of a broader commitment to fostering social inclusion across the region.
The workshop, held in Cotonou on Tuesday, was inaugurated by Boubacal Yero Bani Samou, Benin’s Director of Social Inclusion and Solidarity, who expressed his profound gratitude for ECOWAS’s unwavering support in promoting the rights of children with disabilities. He lauded the regional organization for its dedication to inclusion, emphasizing that children with disabilities have the right to equal opportunities in education, social life, and personal development.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), out of nearly 240 million children
with disabilities worldwide, about 15% of children aged 017 years have a disability in West and Central Africa,
highlighting the pressing need for targeted programs. The program will provide essential assistive devices—such as prosthetics, orthotics, wheelchairs, hearing aids, and communication technologies—that enable disabled children to participate actively in school, social activities, and cultural life. These devices are seen as crucial tools for breaking down the barriers that prevent children with disabilities from realizing their full potential.
Dr. Alves D’almada Jorge Fernando, Senior Officer of Social Affairs for ECOWAS, affirmed the organization’s commitment to addressing the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in West Africa. “ECOWAS is determined to create a more inclusive society where all children, including those with disabilities, have the opportunity to grow, learn, and flourish,” said Dr. Fernando.
The program, which is currently in its second phase with a budget of $300,000, marks Benin as the third country in the region to benefit from this initiative. Following Benin, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau are set to receive similar support. This initiative is part of a larger ECOWAS effort to eliminate discrimination, stigmatization, and marginalization of disabled children in the region, while promoting their empowerment and inclusion.
Key representatives from organizations such as Sightsavers and the Microfinance of Benin also attended the workshop, offering their support for the initiative. The collaboration aims to create a more socially inclusive ECOWAS, one where all children, regardless of ability, can thrive.
With steadfast commitment, ECOWAS is laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future, where the barriers to education and social participation for disabled children are systematically removed, allowing them to realize their full potential and contribute meaningfully to society.
