The Embassy of Israel in Ghana, the University of Education, Winneba (UEW) and Engineers Without Borders have signed a memorandum of understanding to establish an assistive technology innovation centre in Winneba, aimed at developing affordable, practical and locally adapted solutions for persons with disabilities.
The agreement, signed on October 19, marks a new phase in collaboration between Israeli specialists and Ghanaian educational institutions to advance accessibility and inclusion through technology.
According to the Israeli Embassy, the proposed centre will focus on solutions that respond to the needs of persons with disabilities, with an emphasis on making assistive devices more accessible and suitable for local conditions.
Israeli Ambassador to Ghana Roey Gilad toured an exhibition showcasing assistive devices developed by Israeli specialists and UEW students during an intensive, hands-on workshop.
The innovations included an ankle brace, a customised feeding chair, a bamboo walker, a posterior walker and a floor sitter, demonstrating how practical design and locally available materials can be used to address mobility, posture and daily-care needs.
The initiative builds on ongoing work by UEW’s Department of Special Education, whose students have developed low-cost assistive devices using locally sourced and recycled materials.
The university has previously exhibited devices designed to support children with cerebral palsy and other disabilities, and donated student-made equipment, including standing frames and an adapted chair, to the Winneba Trauma and Specialist Hospital.
Engineers Without Borders Israel has also been working with local partners in Winneba to promote accessibility and social inclusion through community-based rehabilitation. Its approach involves developing devices with users, drawing on locally available materials and building the capacity of students and local professionals to maintain and adapt the solutions.
The collaboration is intended to strengthen the link between technical expertise and local needs, while supporting the development of solutions that can be produced and maintained within Ghana.
For persons with disabilities, access to suitable assistive products can affect mobility, education, participation in community life and independence. The proposed centre could provide a platform for students, specialists and community partners to work together on practical responses to these challenges.
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