The New Ghana Social Justice Forum, a human rights organization, has petitioned both the French National Olympic and Sports Committee and the organizers of the Africa Fan Zone event to remove rapper Sarkodie from their performance lineup.
Scheduled to perform on August 9 at the Africa Fan Zone, also known as “Station Afrique,” at Stade Robert Cesar in France, Sarkodie has faced backlash.
The Africa Fan Zone is an independent cultural event coinciding with the Olympic Games.
The forum argues that Sarkodie’s inclusion is problematic due to his perceived misogyny. They point to lyrics from the song “Jennifer Lomotey,” where Sarkodie, featured by Kurl Songx, makes derogatory remarks about women from Krobo, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
He said “Krobonii baa papa an 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.”
The New Ghana Social Justice Forum contends that Sarkodie’s lyrics reflect a “misogynistic” attitude, prompting their request for him to be barred from performing at the Africa Fan Zone.
Additionally, the group cited recent controversies involving actress Yvonne Nelson. In her memoir, I Am Not Yvonne Nelson, she accused the rapper of pressuring her into an abortion 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.
