Janet Akutey, 29, grew up wondering why her body did not follow the same path as other girls. She never developed breasts nor experienced menstruation, leading to years of medical consultations and medications that provided no answers. After exhausting hospital visits and spiritual interventions, she discovered in 2024 that she was intersex—a condition in which a person is born with reproductive or sexual anatomy that does not fit typical male or female classifications.
Her condition includes both ovaries and testicular tissue, resulting in elevated testosterone levels that gave her a mix of male and female physical traits. The revelation brought relief but also highlighted the isolation she experienced for years due to stigma and misunderstanding.
Akutey later connected with Fafafli Akortsu, founder of the Intersex Persons Society of Ghana, who had experienced her own delayed puberty and hormonal challenges. Unlike Akutey, Akortsu developed breasts and menstruated, but she also faced difficulties in intimate relationships due to a mix of male and female reproductive structures. Together, the two women formed a community to provide support, share experiences, and advocate for intersex rights in Ghana.
The Intersex Persons Society of Ghana addresses issues such as harmful genital surgeries, stigma, and lack of awareness. In many cases, newborns with ambiguous genitalia are subjected to early surgeries to assign a male or female sex, often without understanding long-term consequences. These interventions can leave individuals with irreversible physical and psychological effects.
Medical experts in Ghana describe intersex conditions as disorders of sexual development, which require thorough hormonal, chromosomal, and anatomical analysis. Fertility is often possible depending on the underlying condition, but sexual function and reproductive health can present ongoing challenges. Multidisciplinary care involving endocrinologists, surgeons, psychologists, and geneticists is considered essential for optimal outcomes.
Healthcare access remains a major barrier. Many families cannot afford comprehensive testing, leaving children at risk of misdiagnosis or inappropriate interventions. Birth registration procedures further complicate matters, as parents may assign a gender early without adequate medical guidance.
Akutey and Akortsu emphasize public education, lifelong psychological support, and legal protections against discrimination, violence, and harmful practices. The society is also working on a book to provide factual information on intersex traits and biology, aiming to challenge misconceptions and promote understanding in Ghanaian society.
Through their advocacy, these women are creating a platform for intersex individuals to find solidarity, visibility, and hope in a society that has long misunderstood their existence.
