The New Ghana Social Justice Forum has petitioned Station Afrique to cancel Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie’s performance at the African Fan Zone at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games scheduled for August 9, 2024, at Stade Robert César L’Île-Saint-Denis.
The Forum cited concerns about his controversial track “Jennifer Lomotey,” which negatively portrays Krobo women from the Eastern Region of Ghana by referencing a folklore involving a curse of promiscuity.
The Forum also stressed Sarkodie’s past actions, such as labelling actress Yvonne Nelson a prostitute in response to her memoir “I Am Not Yvonne Nelson.”
The New Ghana Social Justice Forum had earlier petitioned the Embassy of France in Ghana about its concerns and appealed for his performance at the opening ceremony to be cancelled.
The Embassy, however, clarified that Sarkodie will not be performing at the opening ceremony. Instead, his performance is part of the African Fan Zone Station Afrique.
The Embassy emphasized that Station Afrique is an independent cultural event running concurrently with the Olympic Games.
The French Embassy stressed that together with the French National Olympic and Sports Committee they are firmly committed to promoting equal human rights, gender equality and women’s empowerment in all the projects and initiatives they are associated with.
“We do not endorse any form of discrimination or actions that undermine these values,” it assured.
Nelson’s memoir recounts her struggles growing up without a father and her relationship with Sarkodie, where she alleges he pressured her to abort their child.
According to the memoir, Sarkodie drove her to his doctor and left without concern for her welfare.
Yahaya Alhassan, President of the New Ghana Social Justice Forum, criticized Sarkodie’s response to Nelson with the diss track “Try Me,” which mocks her with insensitive lyrics.
He argued that granting Sarkodie a platform at the Fan Zone sends a concerning message, particularly in African communities striving for gender equality and respect for women.
“The French Embassy has echoed the noble advocacy for social justice, and we would therefore like your organization to act accordingly,” Alhassan added.
