CULTURAL COOPERATION: ECOWAS RESIDENT REPRESENTATIVE IN SENEGAL HIGHLIGHTS INCLUSION AT THE ‘TOUCH AND SEE’ EXHIBITION IN THIÈS
"On 2 May 2026, the National Institute for the Education and Training of Blind Young People (INEFJA) in Thiès hosted the inclusive exhibition ‘Touch and See’, organised with financial support from the ECOWAS Resident Mission in Senegal in collaboration with the Agency for the Development of Social Marketing (ADEMAS). This initiative is part of […]"
On 2 May 2026, the National Institute for the Education and Training of Blind Young People (INEFJA) in Thiès hosted the inclusive exhibition ‘Touch and See’, organised with financial support from the ECOWAS Resident Mission in Senegal in collaboration with the Agency for the Development of Social Marketing (ADEMAS).
This initiative is part of efforts to promote equitable access to culture for people with visual impairments, through an innovative sensory approach that encourages the inclusion and active participation of pupils, former residents and partners in the inclusive education sector.
Through this initiative, the ECOWAS Resident Representative Office in Senegal reaffirms its commitment to social inclusion, equal opportunities and the empowerment of people living with disabilities, in line with ECOWAS’s regional guidelines on human development and social cohesion.
The exhibition also highlighted the work produced by INEFJA residents as part of their vocational training, illustrating the potential for empowerment and socio-economic integration of young people who are blind or visually impaired.
Through this support, the ECOWAS Resident Representative Office in Senegal reaffirms its commitment to supporting concrete initiatives that translate inclusion into visible actions serving communities.
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Key Impact
- The 'Touch and See' exhibition in Thiès directly provides sensory access to culture for blind and visually impaired people in Senegal, setting a model for inclusion in West Africa.
- This initiative empowers young residents of INEFJA by showcasing their vocational training work, demonstrating their potential for economic independence.
- ECOWAS's financial support signals a concrete regional commitment to social inclusion and human development, aligning with its policies on equal opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Background
- The exhibition was held on 2 May 2026 at the National Institute for the Education and Training of Blind Young People (INEFJA) in Thiès, Senegal.
- It was funded by the ECOWAS Resident Mission in Senegal in partnership with the Agency for the Development of Social Marketing (ADEMAS).
- The event addresses the long-standing barrier of cultural exclusion for visually impaired persons by using a tactile and sensory approach to art and artefacts.
Benefits
- Participants gain direct, equitable access to cultural expression, enhancing their quality of life and sense of belonging in society.
- The exhibition provides practical vocational exposure for INEFJA residents, preparing them for employment and socio-economic integration in fields like handicrafts and art.
- This model can be replicated by ECOWAS in other member states, including Ghana, to support institutions like the Ghana Society for the Blind in the Volta Region or the Akropong School for the Blind.
Risks & Warnings
- Without sustained funding from ECOWAS or local governments, similar inclusive programs in Ghana, such as those at the Cape Coast School for the Deaf and Blind, may lack resources to continue.
- Sensory-based exhibitions require specialized training for staff and materials, which could be scarce in rural areas of Ghana like the Northern Region, risking unequal access.
- If not paired with job placement or entrepreneurship support, vocational training exhibitions alone may not lead to lasting economic empowerment for visually impaired youth.
Who Is Affected
- Blind and visually impaired young people, including pupils and former residents of INEFJA in Thiès, directly benefit from cultural participation and skill demonstration.
- ECOWAS institutions and member states, such as Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, are influenced by this model for disability-inclusive policies.
- Local communities in Senegal, including families and partners like ADEMAS, see increased awareness and involvement in inclusive education and social cohesion.
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