Pioneering Ghanaian scholar and disability rights advocate, Dr. Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie, has made history by launching an innovative global partnership on Public Health, Disability, and Intercultural Connections at the University of Vermont, USA.
As the first woman with a disability to initiate such a programme, Dr. Komabu-Pomeyie, renowned for her visionary leadership and lived expertise, bridges academia, community engagement, and global policy. Her work is transforming how universities and international partners approach disability, culture, and inclusive public health on a global scale, aiming to advance equity for marginalised populations.
Building on partnerships with the University of Cape Coast (Ghana), University of the Western Cape (South Africa), and the African Leadership University (Rwanda and Mauritius), the programme offers both virtual and in-person experiences. Students can earn academic credit through HSCI 1993: Public Health, Disability, and Intercultural Connections, which combines structured coursework with hands-on fieldwork.
With opportunities to work within the hospital system, schools, or community in Ghana, this programme provides a unique opportunity for students to engage virtually with African students with disabilities, build global networks, share experiences, and gain cross-cultural perspectives that will enrich their academic and professional journeys.
Student Spotlight
The programme’s first participant, Laura Terry, a trainee in UVM’s Vermont Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (VT LEND) programme, developed a public health policy information sheet addressing healthcare needs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She plans to present her findings to Vermont legislators and at the 2026 Conference of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH).
“Working with professionals and students in Africa has been eye-opening,” Terry said. “I’m learning how different cultures approach disability and finding ways to collaborate globally to break down stigma and promote inclusion.”
Dr. Komabu-Pomeyie envisions these independent studies as transformative experiences that prepare CNHS students to become global citizens while strengthening their ability to serve communities in Vermont and beyond.
Interested students can design their own intercultural independent study and connect with Dr. Komabu-Pomeyie for guidance.
Email: sefakor.komabu pomeyie@med.uvm.edu
INTERVIEW WITH FIRST PARTICIPANT:
SOURCE: College of Nursing and Health Sciences, University of Vermont (USA)/DisabilityNewsGH.com
