Maame Yaa Akyiaa Barnes

Maame Yaa is a lecturer at Lancaster University Ghana, where she has been teaching law since 2015. She is a member of the Ghana Bar and holds a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics. Now focusing on Disability law and policy, Maame Yaa is committed to ensuring respect for the rights of Persons with Disability (PWDs), and their families and caregivers. Maame Yaa Akyiaa Barnes is currently advocating for a more inclusive legislative framework, by exposing internal and relational inconsistencies and discrimination against PWDs in Ghanaian legislation. As the founder and convenor of the Lancaster University Ghana Multidisciplinary Conference on Disability and Development, Maame Yaa has created a platform for academic engagement with disability issues in all fields, which also brings together policymakers, PWDs, advocates, and practitioners. Maame Yaa believes that for Ghana and Africa to fully develop, it is important to have a truly inclusive society, where every person’s skills and talents are nurtured and harnessed. She is also the Editor of the Lancaster University Ghana Journal on Disability. After the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Maame Yaa plans to expand the discourse on disability, to foster dialogue with corporate and industry entities, and to create a more inclusive environment for PWDs.