Help Angel Maxine Get Hip-Replacement Surgery

My name is Angel Maxine, Ghana's first openly transgender musician. I use my platform to advocate for trans inclusion and LGBTQI+ visibility in Ghana and across Africa. I’m raising money for a hip replacement so I can continue my music and activism without pain and immobility.

Unfortunately, healthcare in Ghana is not free and I do not earn any money from my music or activism. I am unemployed because no one in Ghana will hire a trans woman; I used to work as a chef.

I'm only 37 but have been using a walking stick for the last two months. I'm already in lots of pain, but until I can receive surgery, my condition is expected to get worse.

Last year, I made another GoFundMe and, over the last twelve months, have been blessed by people from all over the world. However, this money was donated so that I could continue making music and doing activism, as well as pay for my basic cost of living and move my mum to a safer place to live. I have managed to do these things and, as such, have temporarily ceased donations to it. This new GoFundMe is specifically for my hip replacement surgery, which I don't have money left to cover.

Thank you for all your support and love. Anything you are able to give - no matter how small - will be greatly appreciated. Please share if you can!

All my love,

Angel Maxine xx

Here is a recent article about my life and work in the New York Times.

Here you can watch me talk with VICE News about Ghana’s proposed anti-LGBTQ+ bill.

Here you can watch the music video of my debut single ‘Wo Fie’, featuring Sister Deborah and Wanlov The Kubolor.

Here you can watch me talk with the BBC about being LGBT+ in Africa.

The estimated cost of surgery used to be just over £9000 GBP because I was planning to get the surgery done in Ghana. However, due to the anti-LGBT+ bill, I’m now going to have the surgery in Germany, which we think will cost nearer £15000. Here is a breakdown of our previous estimations:

Here are recent medical letters:

Below you will find more details about the hip replacement surgery I need.

I have been dealing with progressively worsening hip pain in my left pelvic region. The pain started acutely a few months ago, which I used to manage with painkillers. Over the weeks, I built resistance to the painkillers, which resulted in a decline in my mobility. Due to the pain I experience when putting any pressure on my left leg, I’m now using a walking stick. Despite being in severe pain while living in Ghana, where my very existence as a trans woman is threatened, I still give back through facilitating training workshops for the LGBTQ+ community and engaging in my activism and music.

In September 2022, I travelled to Johannesburg, South Africa for a Trans Capacity Building Conference. While attending the conference, the pain became unbearable, so I was rushed to the Milpark Hospital in Parktown, where the doctor requested an emergency X-ray from the Radiologist. I was referred to Rosebank Hospital, where the MRI scan was done, and was diagnosed with Osteonecrosis (Avascular Necrosis).

I was only in South Africa for ten days, so I returned to Ghana with a referral letter for further testing. I have since received two second-opinions from specialists in Ghana. They both agree that the only way forward is to perform a total hip-replacement surgery. I need this surgery in order to walk without pain and a limp, which will hugely improve my quality of life and enable me to continue my work as a musician and activist.