As we celebrate the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9th, a profound dissonance echoes through our festivities.

It is the discord of injustice, the muted cries of Indigenous communities like the Benimasi-Boadi people of Ghana, whose ancestral lands are being stolen from beneath their feet. This is not merely a matter of property rights; it is a crisis of cultural survival, a rupture in the sacred bond between people and their land.

In the heart of Africa, as in Indigenous territories worldwide, this dispossession is a relentless tide, eroding traditions, livelihoods, and the very essence of who they are. Yet, amidst this darkness, a beacon of hope flickers: the potential for philanthropy to rise as a champion of justice, to bridge the chasm between privilege and disenfranchisement.

But philanthropy must be more than a band-aid on a gaping wound. It must be a force of transformation, a catalyst for a paradigm shift that recognizes the inherent rights of Indigenous peoples to their lands, their cultures and their self-determination.

This means more than writing checks; it means listening to the voices of Indigenous leaders, amplifying their stories, and investing in their solutions. It means standing in solidarity with them as they fight for their survival, not as saviors, but as humble allies.

The Benimasi-Boadi people, like countless others, have a profound spiritual connection to their land. It is where their ancestors rest, where their stories are etched into the landscape, and where their future generations should rightfully flourish. When we support their fight for land rights, we are not merely advocating for legal documents; we are defending the sacred tapestry of human diversity and the intricate web of life that sustains us all.

The time for complacency is over. Philanthropy must awaken the soul of justice within itself, channeling its resources and influence to dismantle the systems of oppression that have plagued Indigenous peoples for centuries. This is not just an act of compassion; it is an act of self-preservation, for the fate of Indigenous peoples is inextricably linked to the fate of our planet.

As we reflect on the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous communities, let us heed their call for justice. Let us honor their connection to the land, not just with words, but with deeds. Let us stand together, as one human family, and declare that the theft of Indigenous lands is a crime against humanity, a crime that must be stopped.

Nana Kwesi Osei Bonsu is the founder of Land Rights Defenders, a nonprofit organization focused on raising awareness and resources for Indigenous communities fighting for their rights to their land.