The New Ghana Social Justice Forum, a human rights organization has petitioned the French National Olympic and Sports Committee and organisers of the Africa Fan Zone event to exclude rapper Sarkodie from its list of performers.
Sarkodie has been scheduled to perform on August 9 at the Africa Fan Zone or “Station Afrique” at Stade Robert Cesar in France. The Africa Fan Zone is an independent cultural event happening at the same time as the Olympic games.
However, the New Ghana Social Justice Forum contends that the artiste is “misogynistic” (strongly prejudiced against women). The Group attributes its claim to a line of the song, ‘Jennifer Lomotey’ in which Sarkodie was featured by Kurl Songx.
The rapper in the song spoke about Krobo ladies and acts of promiscuity, reiterating a known folklore about young ladies from Krobo.
He said “Krobonii baa papa a ahweneɛ da ne sisi, Komfo Anokye de adwaman abɔ no dua”, to wit “A beautiful Krobo lady with beads on her waist, she has been cursed with promiscuity by Komfo Anokye.”
These words are what the New Ghana Social Justice Forum believes encompasses the “misogynistic” nature of the rapper and wants him barred from performing at the Africa Fan Zone.
Among other reasons, the Group also cited his recent tango with actress Yvonne Nelson who claimed in her memoir ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’ that the rapper forced her to abort a baby after he impregnated her.
“Honoring Sarkodie with the station Africa platform raises concerns, particularly for pregnant women. Sarkodie’s past actions, such as labelling actress Yvonne Nelson prostitute who belongs to the street in response to her memoir ‘I Am Not Yvonne Nelson’ are troubling,” excerpts of a statement released by the Group on July 25 said.
New Ghana Social Justice Forum further asserted that Sarkodie’s response to Yvonne Nelson’s memoir demonstrated “insensitivity and disrespect towards women.”
For these reasons, the Group believes that allowing Sarkodie to perform on such a stage will send “a concerning message” to organizations” striving for gender quality and respect for women.
“The France Embassy have reechoed the noble advocacy for social justice and would therefore, like your good conscious organization to act accordingly,” the statement added.
Their petition to the organisers of the Africa Fan Zone follows an earlier letter to the French Embassy in Ghana on July 8 raising similar concerns and assertions.
The Embassy in response to the Group on July 19 said it upholds human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment and does not endorse any form of discrimination.
“Station Afrique is an independent cultural event running concurrently with the Olympic games.
“Please not that the Embassy of France in Ghana, together with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee is firmly committed to promoting equal huma rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment in all the projects and initiatives that we are associated with. We do not endorse any form of discrimination or actions that undermine these values,” the Embassy said in its letter.
