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Model and activist makes history at Ghana fashion show
Abena Christine Jon'el, a 33-year-old Ghanaian-American model and writer, commanded attention at Accra's Rhythms on the Runway last month, walking the catwalk with her prosthetic leg wrapped in vibrant kente fabric. Her appearance marked a pivotal moment for disability representation in African fashion.
A childhood shaped by resilience
Jon'el's journey began at age two, when doctors diagnosed her with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft-tissue cancer in her right calf. Faced with a grim choice-radiation that risked lifelong wheelchair dependence or amputation-her mother opted for the latter. Decades later, Jon'el calls it "the best decision she could have made."
Growing up in Chicago, she rejected the "inspirational disabled child" trope. "I was loud, a little black girl running around on one leg," she told the BBC. "I didn't let anyone push me around." Her defiance became her strength, shaping a personality she now describes as "professionally inspirational."
From Chicago to Accra: A search for belonging
Jon'el's connection to Ghana began long before she set foot on its soil. As a young adult in the U.S., she devoured books on pre-colonial West African history, feeling an inexplicable pull toward the continent. That pull became a reckoning during her first visit in 2021.
Standing at Assin Manso, the site where enslaved people were once sold before being marched to coastal dungeons, she experienced what she calls "a moment that rearranged my entire understanding of myself." The weight of history collided with a profound sense of belonging, leaving her in a deep depression upon returning to the U.S. Three months later, she moved to Accra permanently.
"I am Ghanaian by ancestry and adoption. It is not cosplay-it is ancestral."
Abena Christine Jon'el
Kente-wrapped leg as cultural statement
In Ghana, Jon'el found more than a home-she found a family. A Ghanaian mother now introduces her as her own daughter, and her prosthetic leg, adorned with kente, has become a symbol of her love for the country. "It represents my love for this country, its heritage, its pride," she said.
Yet living with a disability in Ghana presented new challenges. While the U.S. has made slow, imperfect progress in disability inclusion, Ghana is still at the beginning of that journey. "Disabled people haven't been widely showcased in a positive light," Jon'el explained. "Stigma thrives when people only see us in struggle."
Runway moment sparks national conversation
Determined to change perceptions, Jon'el approached the organizers of Rhythms on the Runway, one of Africa's most prestigious fashion events. She knew her presence would force a long-overdue conversation about disability in Ghana's fashion industry.
When she stepped onto the runway at Osu Castle, draped in fabric and confidence, the room erupted. Her walk wasn't just a performance-it was a declaration. "Her strength showed right through," said Tourism Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie. "'I am differently able, and I've got this.'"
"This is what true inclusion looks like-celebrating every story, everybody, and every ability."
Dentaa Amoateng, Guba Awards founder
For Jon'el, the applause wasn't the point. "Disabled people were not just spectators that night," she said. "They were center stage."
A new chapter for Ghana's disability movement
Jon'el's advocacy extends beyond the runway. Whether mentoring young amputees or speaking at events, she refuses to let disabled Ghanaians be erased. "Disability is not a limitation," she asserts. "Lack of support and accessibility-that's what disables you."
Her story is one of reclamation: of identity, mobility, and belonging in a country that, as she puts it, "fought for me before I even stepped foot here." And while her work is far from over, one thing is clear-she won't dim her light, nor will she let others like her be dimmed.
"Ghana is my home."
Abena Christine Jon'el
