By HeapNews
As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), 30 students from the Collège d’Enseignement Général (CEG) Gbégamey in Cotonou participated in a three-day arts-based workshop designed to promote unity, peace, and regional integration.
Organised by the ECOWAS Representation in Benin with technical support from Ateliers Sika, the initiative ran from April 11 to 14, 2025. It brought together youths aged 11 to 19 in a vibrant space of creativity and education.
The students, led by professional artists from Ateliers Sika, explored different forms of artistic expression, channelling their thoughts on West Africa’s collective identity into paintings, spoken word, and visual installations. The program culminated in a feedback ceremony where participants proudly showcased their final pieces, works described as inspiring, passionate, and deeply symbolic of the ECOWAS vision.
“This workshop is a reminder that the future of West Africa lies in the hands of our young people,” said Ambassador Amadou Diongue, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Benin. “Their commitment and creativity are proof that we are on the right path in empowering them.”
Dignitaries present at the opening and closing ceremonies included representatives from the Ministry of Secondary and Technical Education, local authorities from the Gbégamey Mifongou neighbourhood, the Director of CEG Gbégamey, and the Parents’ Association.
The program marks the first phase of a broader initiative to engage Benin’s youth in celebrating ECOWAS at 50, while reinforcing values critical to the region’s future stability and prosperity.