On a night celebrating prestige and transformational leadership, Mrs. Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame,
a distinguished international disability rights advocate, was formally honoured at the 11th Ghana Women of Excellence Awards
The ceremony, held on March 6, 2026, at the Coconut Grove Regency Hotel, marked a historic milestone as the awards scheme celebrated its 15th Anniversary.
Organised by Top Brass Ghana under the theme “Empowering the Ghanaian Woman for National Development,” the event saw Mrs. Fefoame recognised for her unparalleled contribution to social inclusion and the economic empowerment of persons with disabilities (PWDs).
The citation read in her honour painted a picture of a woman who has consistently shattered “concrete ceilings.”
Mrs. Fefoame is celebrated as the first visually impaired student in Ghana to obtain a Master’s degree from both the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA, 2010) and the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology and Mission (2016).
Her professional footprint is equally profound. Currently the Global Advocacy Manager for Social Inclusion at Sightsavers, Mrs. Fefoame was instrumental in the 1998 introduction of the first higher education programme for deaf students at the Presbyterian College of Education – a move that fundamentally changed the landscape of inclusive education in Ghana.
The award recognises Mrs. Fefoame’s rare ability to influence policy at every level of society.
Her journey began in grassroots governance as a member of the Akuapem District Assembly (1998) and evolved into national service as a board member of the National Council on Persons with Disabilities (2013).
Today, she is a global authority, serving as an expert member of the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).
She made history as the first African woman to be elected as Chairperson of the UNCRPD, where she championed the rights of the world’s most marginalised populations.
She is also the immediate past President of the International Council for Education of People with Visual Impairment (ICEVI).
The Ghana Women of Excellence Award joins an elite collection of accolades earned over 40 years of service, including:
• The Grand Medal (2007): Conferred by the President of the Republic for her service to the nation.
• World Blind Union (WBU) Women’s Empowerment Award: For her global leadership in protecting women and girls with disabilities.
• ICEVI Excellence Award (2024): Recognising her technical expertise in inclusive education.
Born in 1957, Mrs. Fefoame’s life is a testament to the fact that visual impairment is not a limitation, but a catalyst for change.
Her work has bridged the gap between faith and advocacy, serving as an Advisor on Disability Issues to the Presbyterian Church of Ghana, while simultaneously shaping international human rights laws.
The honour bestowed upon Gertrude Oforiwa Fefoame by Top Brass Ghana is a significant win for the entire disability community.
The award is a powerful demonstration of the capabilities of Ghanaian women with disabilities to occupy high-level leadership roles.
SOURCE: DisabilityNewsGH.com
