The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has harped on the need to fully include persons with disabilities in all strata of the society for even development.
The organisation in order to promote social inclusion of persons with disabilities in the West African region has initiated a regional study on disability inclusion in the ECOWAS region which will culminate in the formulation of a Regional Action Plan on Disability.
Speaking on Friday in Abuja during the commemoration of 2020 International Day of Persons with Disabilities with the theme: “From COVID-19 towards a sustainable and resilient ECOWAS from all persons with disabilities; leave no one behind,” the Director of Humanitarian Affairs, ECOWAS Commission, Dr Sintiki Tarfa-Ugbe said it was imperative that the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of the society must be ensured and protected.
Tarfa-Ugbe quoting the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “Societies will never achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) without the full participation of everyone, including people with disabilities.
“Upholding the rights of people with disabilities is a moral imperative. But it is not an act of charity. It is a recognition of rights and practical necessity, if we are to build healthy, sustainable societies to the benefit of everyone- those with disabilities, and without; the time to act is now.”
She noted that at the continental level, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights (ACHPR) had adopted a draft protocol on the rights of persons with disabilities, intended to complement the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and address the continued exclusion, harmful practices, and discrimination affecting those with disabilities, especially women, children, and the elderly.
She said that the African Disability Architecture estimated that people with disabilities constituted about ten percent of Africa’s total population, noting that this did not however sufficiently reflect the prevalence of disability in the region as evidence suggested that prevalence rates were higher than actually reported.
She said ECOWAS took this occasion “to impress on all stakeholders to reflect on our institutional and personal commitments to ensure that in each of our areas of work we consider the inclusivity of persons with disabilities and further coordinate to guarantee their dignity and rights, which is fundamental.
“The ECOWAS Commission plays a strategic goal in promoting social inclusion in the region. It is worthy mentioning that the Commission has initiated a Regional on disability inclusion in the ECOWAS region which will culminate in the formulation of a Regional Action Plan on Disability.”
Also speaking on the occasion, the Vice Chair of West Africa Federation of the Disabled, Ms Ekaete Umoh asked that the ongoing COVID-19 vaccines should be made available to persons with disabilities, although with caution.
She said a proper study should be conducted on the impact of the vaccine on persons with disabilities especially those that had had problems with their Central Nervous System so that they might not be exposed to dangerous reactions.
Stay ahead with the latest updates! Join The ConclaveNG on WhatsApp and Telegram for real-time news alerts, breaking stories, and exclusive content delivered straight to your phone. Don’t miss a headline — subscribe now!
