At the Ivorian Press Agency (AIP) Forum on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, Maître Loukou Josué Kouamé, president of the Association of Paralyzed People of Côte d'Ivoire (APCI), launched a strong appeal: to transform the view of disability and make these citizens true drivers of national development.

Shifting paradigms: from compassion to valuing

For the APCI, it is time to definitively break with the logic of charity and vulnerability. Invited to speak on the theme "Inclusion of people with disabilities: moving from social assistance to skills development for national development," Mr. Loukou Josué Kouamé emphasized the economic potential of this segment of the population.

"From now on, when it comes to disability, it must no longer be approached from the perspective of compassion or misery. People with disabilities must be seen as full citizens, capable of contributing fully to the economic and social development of our country," he stated, calling for a national mobilization.

Public policies: welcome progress, demand enforcement of laws

When questioned about the effectiveness of government actions, the president of the APCI gave a mixed assessment, oscillating between recognition of achievements and pragmatism:

1. The positive points: A real shift in attitudes, a visible political will and the existence of a solid legislative framework protecting the rights of disabled people.
2. The major challenge: Moving from theory to practice. Mr. Loukou reminded everyone that a law is only useful if it is rigorously applied on the ground to positively impact the daily lives of the families concerned.

Employment: strengthening exceptional recruitment

Although he welcomes the exceptional recruitment mechanism in the Civil Service — a step forward which he describes as a major one for graduates — the association leader believes that more needs to be done.

It advocates the implementation of appropriate support measures to guarantee people with disabilities sustainable access to the labor market, in strict respect of their dignity, autonomy and equal opportunities.