Pan-African Solidarity and Community Care Anchoring Ghana’s LGBTQ+ Activism

Recent political developments in Ghana have reignited concerns over the safety and rights of LGBTQ+ individuals. After President John Mahama’s swearing-in in January 2025, he stated that the Promotion of Proper Human Sexual Rights and Ghanaian Family Values Bill, commonly known as the anti-LGBTQ+ bill, had “elapsed” since it was never received by the former president for approval before his tenure ended. He proposed that LGBTQ+ issues be incorporated into school curricula to “educate” children on the so-called Ghanaian family values before they graduate.

This stance did not sit well with members of Parliament (MPs), particularly Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin, who has since called for a revival of the bill. The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has also urged President Mahama to sign a new version into law, reaffirming the ongoing hostility faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Ghana. These developments highlight the persistent challenges activists and queer individuals continue to endure in the country and across Africa.

In moments like these, it is crucial to reflect on the resilience of queer activism and the power of community-driven change. As a queer person fighting for liberation, I have learned that activism is not only about advocating for others but also about prioritizing my growth and well-being. To truly serve my community, I must first serve myself. I cannot pour from an empty cup, and this has become the foundation of my activism—being intentional about my personal growth so that I can contribute my best self to the fight for justice.

Self and Collective Empowerment

Activism is inherently demanding, and through my journey, I have realized that my liberation is intertwined with that of my community. If I want a better future for those around me, I need to focus on becoming the best version of myself in the present. I approach every situation openly—willing to learn, unlearn, and relearn. This ongoing process helps me find my voice and empowers me to speak out against injustice. While it’s not always easy, the growth I have experienced has been fulfilling and motivating.

The path toward liberation has taught me that it’s about much more than changing systems or laws; it’s about personal growth, acceptance, and finding strength in that acceptance. This process of self-empowerment fuels my commitment, even during tough times. As I continue to evolve, I feel more connected to my community, more grounded in my activism, and more confident in my work. One of the most powerful aspects of my activism has been the sense of community I have found. Being part of a network that accepts and understands me gives me the strength to continue, even when the world around me feels hostile. Knowing I am not alone in this journey is deeply comforting.

However, I have also learned that community support alone isn’t enough. Allies play an essential role in amplifying our work. Sometimes, even my closest community cannot address specific challenges, and that’s when allies step in—using their voices and influence to help advance the cause. Strong allies ensure our message reaches a broader audience, especially during difficult times. Their support is crucial in keeping our fight for justice visible.

“It felt like time stood still”

The past year was one of the hardest for me—the anti-LGBTQ+ bill in Ghana was passed by Parliament and was awaiting government assent. I vividly remember the moment I heard the news—it felt like time stood still. The weight of that moment was overwhelming. Activists and organizations had worked tirelessly to fight the bill, but it seemed like all that effort had been in vain. That day, I paused. My mind went blank, and I struggled to find the words to express my feelings. It was a crushing blow, especially after many years of hard work. Despite that setback, I continued.

One of the biggest challenges we face during these trying times is the limited funding for our work. The funding landscape in Ghana is restrictive, particularly for LGBTQI+ organizations, and we are scrambling to secure the resources we need to keep our initiatives alive. Many organizations are doing their best to educate, advocate, and support the LGBTQ+ community, but the lack of sustainable funding makes it difficult to maintain long-term programs. We need more flexible, unrestricted funding—resources that can support our core activities and help us adapt quickly to emerging challenges. 

Sustaining Movements 

African queer movements have found ways to sustain themselves, showing resilience and creativity that go beyond reliance on external funding. While donor funding often takes the spotlight in discussions about queer and feminist liberation work, it’s important to ask more profound questions: Who are the donors, and what does truly sustainable funding for liberation look like? The narrative often centers around Western donors whose resources are tied to restrictive politics and short-term project cycles that fail to address these movements’ long-term survival and autonomy.

This perspective often overlooks the significant agency of African queer people. Across the continent, many queer activists are self-funding initiatives, mobilizing community resources, and building networks of solidarity that emphasize sustainability and autonomy. This self-reliance challenges the notion that liberation work depends solely on external support. We are redistributing power among ourselves, forging alliances, and creating mutual aid and care models that promise a more accountable and self-sustaining future.

Pan-African solidarity has become an essential force in sustaining movements. Across borders, queer and feminist activists are exchanging knowledge, sharing strategies, and providing both material and emotional support. This collective approach highlights the interconnectedness of struggles across Africa and the need for solutions that emerge from within the community, not imposed from outside.

However, we must also critically engage with donor politics. Who claims to fund “progressive movements,” and how accountable are they to the communities they aim to support? Too often, donor priorities shape the direction of movements, sidelining grassroots needs in favor of measurable outcomes or bureaucratic processes. Real liberation cannot be reduced to a set of metrics or framed as a transaction. Sustainable funding must honor the leadership, priorities, and lived realities of African queer people. As we envision a future where movements thrive, we must focus on the creativity, resourcefulness, and solidarity that already exist within queer communities. Donors may have a role to play, but they must be held accountable to the principles of liberation, not their agendas. Ultimately, the survival and sustainability of queer movements lie in our ability to build power, community, and autonomy from the ground up.

Not Without Care and Hope

While we continue the fight for liberation, we must also prioritize the care of activists. Many of us work under immense pressure, often sacrificing our well-being. We cannot continue pushing for change if we are burned out. Mental health and well-being support is as vital as any policy reform or legal battle.

Despite the numerous challenges we face, I remain hopeful for the future. Even small actions can lead to lasting change. No matter how difficult, every step we take contributes to a larger movement for equality and justice. The community I am part of continues to fight for a better future, and that hope fuels my ongoing work.

Even if I don’t get to witness the whole fruits of my labor today, I am confident that the efforts we are making now will lead to a better tomorrow. For me, the true reward lies in knowing that my community will one day enjoy the freedoms and rights we are so passionately fighting for today. That hope is what keeps me going and drives my activism toward a world where everyone, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, can enjoy the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

Ultimately, the journey toward liberation isn’t just about changing laws or policies—it’s about changing hearts, minds, and communities. The road ahead may be long and filled with obstacles, especially with drastic aid cuts by several countries targeting many international and community programs, but I am certain that the collective strength and solidarity of our communities will carry us forward.

In the meantime, I remind myself that I deserve the same care and love I fight for and extend to others.

 

Riba-writes (They/Them) is a Black, Queer, Muslim feminist and human rights activist from Ghana, with over nine years of experience in grassroots organizing, gender justice, and LGBTQ+ rights advocacy.