ECOWAS Empowers Disabled Children in Sierra Leone with Assistive Devices to Boost Social Inclusion.
By Raymond Enoch
In a landmark move towards social inclusion, Sierra Leone has lauded the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for its ongoing efforts to support disabled children across the region. On March 28, 2025, Freetown hosted a significant advocacy and awareness-raising workshop aimed at shedding light on ECOWAS’s commitment to promoting the rights of people with disabilities, particularly children.
At the workshop, John Conteh, Sierra Leone’s Acting Director of Social and Religious Affairs, conveyed the government’s gratitude to the ECOWAS Commission for its regional initiative. The program, which provides essential assistive devices to disabled children, underscores the importance of ensuring that children with disabilities are given the tools and support they need to thrive in society.
Conteh emphasized that the initiative is directly linked to Sierra Leone’s social inclusion strategies, noting that the country is on track to achieve Vision 2050, which aims to create a more inclusive and socially just African continent. “This effort marks a significant step in the creation of a social ECOWAS, with disabled children now able to actively participate in education, social activities, and community life,” Conteh said.
The provision of assistive devices forms part of a broader ECOWAS action plan for the social inclusion of people with disabilities, which has already benefitted countries such as Nigeria, Togo, and Benin. Sierra Leone is the fourth member state to benefit from this initiative, with Guinea-Bissau set to follow.
Dr. Alves D’almada Jorge Fernando, Senior Program Officer for Social Affairs at ECOWAS, also spoke at the event, highlighting that approximately 15% of children aged 0-17 in West Africa suffer from some form of disability. He noted that this program seeks to reduce the vulnerability of disabled children by providing them with functional appliances and accessories, thereby promoting their full participation in all aspects of life.
Joseph Alieu Kamara, President of the Sierra Leone Union of Disabled Persons (SLUDI), also expressed his support for the program, emphasizing the critical need for technical assistance to ensure its continued success. “Like other children, disabled children have the right to an adequate education and opportunities for self-fulfillment,” Kamara stated.
Sightsavers’ Sierra Leone Country Manager, Tiangay Gondoe, echoed these sentiments, praising ECOWAS for its forward-thinking approach to disability inclusion. “This initiative is a monumental step towards reducing the stigmatization and marginalization of children with disabilities,” Gondoe said.
The initiative, which has a budget of $300,000 for its second phase, aligns with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) report, which estimates that there are over 240 million disabled children worldwide. ECOWAS’s focus on providing assistive devices is expected to help improve the quality of life for these children, enabling them to pursue their education, enhance their social well-being, and achieve greater self-sufficiency.
The workshop also provided a platform for stakeholders from across the region to come together and discuss how to enhance laws and policies that promote the inclusion of people with disabilities. As the program progresses, Sierra Leone’s commitment to social inclusion is becoming a beacon for other countries to follow, showing that through collaboration and sustained efforts, a more inclusive West Africa is within reach.
With Guinea-Bissau poised to join the program soon, the ripple effects of ECOWAS’s initiative are set to reach far beyond Sierra Leone, transforming the lives of disabled children across the region.
