In the summer of 2013, the author first traveled to Accra, Ghana, initially framing the visit around a research project on disability representation in folktales, including the Anansi spider tales. The trip provided an opportunity to meet disabled activists and organizations and learn about their experiences. While recognizing the serious challenges faced by people with disabilities in Ghana—ranging from transportation barriers and healthcare ableism to social discrimination—the author was most struck by the vibrant advocacy, community engagement, and political activism responding to these challenges.
Over more than a decade, the author remained engaged in disability advocacy collaborations in Ghana, with the work profoundly shaping their understanding of ableism, social justice, and decolonial practices. The essay reflects on the author’s personal experiences and mistakes, emphasizing reflexivity as a critical approach to ethical, collaborative work. The author clarifies that the essay focuses on their own learning rather than evaluating the impact of a decade of advocacy or representing the voices of Ghanaian collaborators.
One formative experience was a photo-interview project launched in 2014 in collaboration with a local NGO led by disabled Ghanaians. Over two years, 75 interviews were conducted to document lived experiences and advocacy goals. While the project was participatory and remains accessible online, the author reflects critically on their own role, recognizing how their presence and photography reinforced colonial dynamics. Lessons from this project include the importance of slow, collaborative research design, pairing research with mutual aid or advocacy, and building deep relationships with communities before attempting social change.
Another key experience involved personal relationships with disabled Ghanaians seeking fundraising support for initiatives. Despite considerable effort, the author could not meet the expectations, ultimately damaging these relationships. Reflexive lessons included the need to set clear boundaries, communicate limitations transparently, and ensure collaborations are structured to prevent overburdening any participant. The experience reinforced the importance of reciprocity, awareness of positionality, and addressing systemic barriers in advocacy work.
The author also reflects on their fundraising and awareness efforts in the United States, recognizing that centering themselves in presentations and narratives at times reinforced “white savior” dynamics and colonial narratives. Over time, the author has shifted to decentering themselves, highlighting the voices of Ghanaian leaders and framing disability justice within global and intersectional contexts, particularly through ongoing work with Make Fashion Clean (MFC) and the MFI Foundation.
A fourth experience involved confronting homophobia and transphobia in Ghana, which ultimately contributed to the author’s decision to stop traveling there in 2017. While they experienced affirming queer community relationships and personal growth, structural anti-LGBTQ dynamics influenced by colonial and missionary legacies limited safety and inclusion. These reflections underscored the importance of self-knowledge, boundary-setting, and navigating advocacy work with an awareness of social and historical contexts.
Beyond specific experiences, the author shares broader lessons learned over a decade: meaningful work takes time; early failures are valuable learning opportunities; it is acceptable to end projects or relationships when boundaries are disrespected; and ongoing reflection deepens the impact of collaborative work. Since 2017, the author has continued supporting disability-related work in Ghana through financial redistribution, donating a portion of their income to advance health equity, disability justice, and decolonization initiatives.
Ultimately, the author reflects on the lasting personal and professional impact of living in Ghana, emphasizing the depth of relationships formed and the transformative experiences gained despite unequal global power dynamics. Their time in Ghana enriched their life profoundly, shaping their understanding of advocacy, collaboration, and reflexive practice while fostering enduring connections and chosen community.
