A Ghanaian's Guide to Grief 🇬🇭

Attendees at A Ghanaian's Guide to Grief

Openspace Global ended the month of March off with it's very first in-person event of 2025; A Ghanaian’s Guide to Grief which explored how grief is experienced, expressed, and processed within Ghanaian culture. Hosted by Sydney Sam, and moderated by Emmanuella Gardiner and Jennifer Gbarinaa, the conversation examined the complexities of mourning, cultural expectations, and the evolving ways people navigate loss.

The event began with an icebreaker, where participants reflected on their personal experiences with grief, societal expectations, and the ways they had been encouraged—or discouraged—from openly mourning.

This discussion explored topics such as:

• Cultural Perspectives on Grief – Tradition, Community & Pressure.

Participants explored how Ghanaian mourning practices create both a strong support system and societal pressures. While communal grieving offers comfort, expectations to perform grief in certain ways—such as elaborate funerals or emotional restraint—can feel restrictive.

• The Emotional & Physical Toll of Grief.

The conversation highlighted how grief is not just an emotional experience but one that manifests physically, mentally, and socially. Attendees shared personal stories about the loneliness of mourning, the impact on daily life, and the need for more open conversations.

• Grief & Work: Navigating Loss in Professional Spaces.

Discussions touched on the challenges of returning to work after a loss, balancing professional responsibilities with personal grief, and how different workplace cultures approach bereavement support.

• Faith, Rituals & Modern Healing.

Participants examined the role of religious and cultural practices in grief—how faith provides comfort but can also add pressure to "accept God's will" and move on quickly. The discussion also explored the intersection of traditional mourning customs with modern therapeutic approaches.

• The Silence Around Grief – Why We Struggle to Talk About It

Attendees unpacked the cultural reluctance to openly discuss grief, citing fears of burdening others, generational differences, and the stigma around seeking emotional support. The impact of friendships and social relationships during mourning was also explored.

• Preparing for Grief – Can We Ever Be Ready?

The conversation touched on anticipatory grief—how knowing a loss is coming can sometimes prepare individuals, but in other cases, may heighten emotional distress. Participants reflected on whether preparing for grief truly softens its impact.

• Healing & Moving Forward – On Your Own Terms

The discussion emphasized that healing is a deeply personal process with no set timeline. Attendees shared insights on grieving without guilt, balancing remembrance with moving forward, and creating space for both personal and communal healing.

Key Takeaways:

• Grief is deeply personal and cultural. While communal grieving can be a source of support, individuals should be allowed to process loss in their own way.

  
  

• Workplaces need to recognize grief. Professional environments often overlook the impact of loss, and better bereavement policies and support systems are needed.

  
  

• Silence around grief can be isolating. Open conversations and emotional support networks are crucial for navigating loss.

  
  

• Healing is not about forgetting. Moving forward doesn’t mean leaving grief behind—it’s about learning to carry it differently.

  
  

The event concluded with a call to action, encouraging participants to continue conversations around grief within the Openspace community, reflect on their own grieving experiences, and foster more open dialogues on loss and healing.

Credits: Euriel Adjokatcher