Episode 82: Returning Home with Dr. Rita Nketiah - Growing Up Ghanian-Canadian, African Womanism, and the Fight for LGBTQ+ Rights

What does it mean to grow up between two worlds? In this episode of the Pansa Pansa Podcast, Dr. Rita Nketiah shares her personal journey from immigrating to Canada as a child to returning to Ghana as an adult to pursue research, activism, and community building. Together, we explore the realities of growing up as a 1.5-generation Ghanaian-Canadian, the challenges of balancing multiple identities, and the meaning of home and belonging.The conversation also examines African Womanism and Western feminism, LGBTQ+ rights across Africa and within the diaspora, child marriage and child protection, and how migration is reshaping Ghanaian identity. Dr. Nketiah also discusses her work with Human Rights Watch and the inspiration behind The Too Known Podcast, offering thoughtful insights into identity, justice, and the future of the African diaspora.Dr. Rita Nketiah is a writer, researcher and social justice activist who returned to her native country Ghana in 2017, to contribute to feminist movement-building, while conducting her PhD field research on second generation Ghanaian-Canadian transnationalism and return migration.This journey of returning home became a defining chapter in her life, forging resilience, shaping her identity, and laying the foundation for a powerful, purpose-driven future. Over the years she has had the opportunity to lead feminist grassroots community building across West Africa, document the lives of Ghanaian return migrants and contribute to global human rights advocacy. Rita holds a PhD in Human Geography from York University (Toronto).Keywords:Ghanaian diaspora, cultural identity, feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, African womanism, migration, cultural evolution, anti-LGBT laws, community activismKey Topics:Ghanaian diaspora identity and cultural navigationDifferences between 1.5 and second-generation immigrantsChallenges faced by African immigrant childrenAfrican womanism and Western feminismRedefining masculinity in African contextsLGBTQ+ rights and anti-LGBT laws in AfricaImpact of colonialism on gender and sexualityCommunity resilience and activism in AfricaThe evolution of Ghanaian culture and identitySound Bites:"Ghana is a deeply religious society""Ubuntu: I am because we are""Dismantling patriarchy means fighting homophobia too"Chapters00:00 Introduction to Dr. Rita Nketiah and her work03:22 The origins of the 'Too Known Podcasts'04:10 Growing up Ghanaian in Canada: Cultural dynamics07:37 Challenges faced by 1.5 generation immigrants11:30 Cultural tensions around dating and sexuality16:48 The benefits of growing up in an immigrant home18:27 Dual identity and navigating multiple cultures20:10 Religion, culture, and gender roles in Africa and Canada22:34 African womanism versus Western feminism27:30 LGBTQ+ rights and activism in Africa31:29 Case study: Arrest of LGBTQ+ activists in Ghana37:03 Homophobia as a feminist issue43:56 The role of the diaspora in redefining Ghanaian identity46:40 Evolving Ghanaian culture and future identity50:06 Reflections on Ghanaian culture and identity evolution52:16 Closing remarks and call to action52:48 riverside_closing_statement copy...