The model with prosthetic leg in Ghana fashion show created a powerful moment that quickly captured public attention. Abena Christine Jonel stepped onto the runway wearing a colourful African print wrapped around her prosthetic leg, turning fashion into a statement of identity and inclusion.
Her walk was not about spectacle. It was about visibility, confidence, and challenging long held beliefs about disability.
A life shaped by strength
Abena lost her right leg at the age of two after doctors diagnosed her with a rare and aggressive cancer known as rhabdomyosarcoma. Her mother chose amputation over radiation, a decision Abena believes gave her the chance to live fully.
She grew up in Chicago, where recovery and movement shaped her childhood. Learning to walk again helped her regain confidence and independence at an early age.
Abena never matched the quiet or softened image often linked to disabled children. She describes herself as outspoken, determined, and unwilling to be underestimated.
From writing to public advocacy
Before stepping into modelling, Abena built her career as a writer and poet. She later became a public speaker, sharing her experiences to motivate others to believe in their own potential.
Her message stayed consistent. Disability does not limit ability. Social barriers do.
Finding belonging in Ghana
Abena felt a strong connection to Africa long before moving. She spent years studying West African history before visiting Ghana in 2021. During a visit to the Assin Manso slave river site, she experienced a deep sense of belonging.
Returning to the United States left her emotionally unsettled. Within months, she made the decision to move permanently to Accra.
Today, she proudly calls Ghana her home, both by ancestry and acceptance.
Model with prosthetic leg in Ghana fashion show sparks conversation
Living in Ghana showed Abena how little representation disabled people receive in public spaces. She noticed that disability often appears only in stories of hardship, not success.
The model with prosthetic leg in Ghana fashion show aimed to change that narrative. By wearing kente fabric on her prosthetic leg, she combined cultural pride with personal identity.
For her, the fabric represents heritage, confidence, and belonging.
A historic fashion moment
Abena approached the organisers of Rhythms on the Runway herself. She knew her presence could open doors and start conversations the industry had avoided.
When she walked the runway at Osu Castle, the audience responded with admiration and respect. Cultural leaders and fashion figures praised her appearance as a true example of inclusion.
The moment placed disabled people at the centre of the stage, not on the sidelines.
Redefining disability and inclusion
Abena believes disability itself is not the barrier. Lack of access, visibility, and support creates limitations.
Through modelling, speaking, and mentoring young amputees, she continues to push for representation. The model with prosthetic leg in Ghana fashion show now stands as a symbol of progress and confidence.
Her journey reflects reclamation rather than survival. She reclaimed her body, her identity, and her place in a country she proudly calls home.
