Federal Government Advocates for Establishment of ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs

The creation of the ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs (EADA) was demanded by the Nigerian federal government on Wednesday, June 5.
This would provide an inclusive area for people with disabilities in member states, according to Abel Enitan, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.

Enitan added that this kind of entity would support the integration of all local disability policies and initiatives.

During the first-ever two-day gathering of ministers responsible for disability inclusion in West Africa, he gave a speech in Abuja.

Adopting the action plan for the inclusion of people with disabilities in the region is the purpose of the meeting.

As such, the permanent secretary called on member states who have not yet ratified the pertinent disability treaties to do so immediately.

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He stated: “Nigeria is calling for the establishment of the “ECOWAS Agency for Disability Affairs” EADA to integrate regional disability policies and strategies for rehabilitation and equal opportunity in the community, as well as provide a mechanism to protect, promote, support, and respect the actions of people with disabilities. The goal is to create an all-inclusive region for persons with disabilities in member states.”

“In the spirit of ‘Nothing about us without us,’ this affirmative action must be viewed through the prism of human diversity, while ensuring that individuals with disabilities have as many opportunities to participate in all levels of decision-making in ECOWAS, so that no one falls behind.”

Disability inclusion, according to the Permanent Secretary, “remains a critical issue in the region, with millions of individuals experiencing barriers to empowerment initiatives and social protection, among others.” He emphasised the significance of this inclusion.

In keeping with the Commission’s goal to prioritise inclusiveness, he also urged the ECOWAS Commission to hire disabled individuals.

In accordance with human rights, he continued, “people with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else in society. Disability is a part of human diversity that must be respected and supported in all its forms.”

Regarding Nigeria’s efforts to promote inclusion, Enitan stated that the country ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2007, passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disability (Prohibition) Act 2018, and then approved the creation of the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities, whose mission is to plan and carry out initiatives to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in society in areas like civil rights, employment, healthcare, education, and other related areas.

The vulnerability of individuals with impairments was emphasised by Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr, the ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs.

According to Sarr, the regional organisation has stepped up its efforts and is collaborating with other organisations to launch palliative care initiatives.

She also disclosed that the Commission was in the process of launching a pilot programme in Nigeria and Togo that will give children with impairments access to assistive technology.

She stated that other member states are anticipated to be covered by this scheme in the future.