Paris 2024: Group petitions Africa Fan Zone organisers to exclude Sarkodie from performing

A human rights organization, New Ghana Social Justice Forum, 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”.  The Group associates its claim to a line of the song, ‘Jennifer Lomotey’ which Sarkodie was featured in 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 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.”

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 turmoil 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.