Abena Christine Jon'el, 33, Shines on Ghanaian Runway to Champion Disability Visibility
Model and writer Abena Christine Jon'el, 33, made a significant appearance at a recent fashion show in Ghana. She walked the runway with her prosthetic leg wrapped in a colorful African print, aiming to promote the visibility of people with disabilities. This appearance built on her previous advocacy work in both the US and Ghana.
Background
At two years old, Jon'el was diagnosed with rhabdomyosarcoma, a rare and aggressive soft-tissue cancer. Her mother chose amputation over radiation, a decision Jon'el considers "the best." She grew up in Chicago, US, with her early life shaped by cancer treatment and recovery, where movement became a measure of survival and confidence.
Jon'el rejects the stereotype of the "inspirational disabled child," stating she was "loud" and "struggling through school," not the quiet, perfect image often portrayed. Her disability sharpened her personality, developing what she calls her "professionally inspirational" energy.
Advocacy and Ghanaian Identity
In the US, Jon'el worked as a writer and public speaker, sharing her life experiences to inspire others. She felt a strong pull towards Africa, particularly West Africa, which intensified after immersing herself in pre-colonial African history.
Her first visit to Ghana in 2021 was transformative. At the Assin Manso slave river site, she experienced a moment that "rearranged her entire understanding" of herself, creating a profound sense of belonging. After returning to the US, she reported feeling a deep depression, stating she had found a missing part of herself in Ghana. Three months later, she moved permanently to Accra.
"I am Ghanaian by ancestry and adoption."
Jon'el expresses strong pride in her Ghanaian identity, stating, "I am Ghanaian by ancestry and adoption." She lives with a Ghanaian family who embraces her as their daughter. Her kente-wrapped prosthetic leg symbolizes her "love for this country, its heritage, its pride."
Disability Advocacy in Ghana
Living in Ghana brought a new mission for Jon'el: advocating for disability visibility and access. She notes differences between disability treatment in the US, where "progress is happening," and Ghana, which is "still at the beginning of that journey."
She argues that in Ghana, disabled people have not been widely showcased positively, leading to stigma. Her advocacy aims to change this perception, promoting the idea that disabled people are "ambitious, stylish, talented, complex, proud and human."
"Disability is not a limitation. Having a disability is not what makes you disabled. Lack of support, lack of accessibility, that is what disables you."
Impact at Rhythms on the Runway
Jon'el's advocacy gained a new platform at the 15th edition of Rhythms on the Runway, a major African fashion show held at Accra's Osu Castle. She proactively approached organizers, understanding the potential impact of her presence for disability representation in Ghana.
Her appearance on the runway, with her kente prosthetic, drew significant attention. Tourism, Culture and Arts Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie commented on Jon'el's "strength," while organizer Shirley Emma Tibilla highlighted the platform provided for her "light to shine." Entrepreneur Dentaa Amoateng praised it as an example of "true inclusion."
For Jon'el, the event's significance was the message of disabled people being center stage. Her journey from a two-year-old cancer patient to an advocate is presented as a story of "reclamation" of identity, mobility, and belonging in Ghana, her declared home. She remains committed to her work, refusing to dim her light or that of others.