Ghanaian artist Sista Afia has taken to social media to openly discuss some of the underlying factors contributing to the relatively lower success of women in the Ghanaian music industry when compared to their male counterparts. In a series of heartfelt tweets, the popular ‘Weather’ hitmaker shed light on the challenges that women face both within their careers and in corporate environments, offering insights into the barriers that have hindered their progress.
One of the key issues that Sista Afia highlighted is the unfortunate tendency for some women to engage in subtle criticisms and gossip when another woman starts to excel. She lamented that this unhealthy practice has become normalized in the country’s music industry. Sista Afia emphasized that the success of one woman should be celebrated by all, rather than met with envy or negativity. She expressed her frustration with this mentality, stating, “In our industry, the ‘female sector,’ when a woman is rising above other women, other women start talking lil behind their backs, which is a ‘norm’ in our country which shouldn’t be. A rise of a woman should be a win for all. Our mentality is sickening!”
Moreover, Sista Afia pointed out the prevailing issue of objectification and misrepresentation of women as mere “sex symbols” within the industry. She stressed that this harmful portrayal significantly impedes their progress, regardless of their substantial effort and dedication to their craft. The artist criticized the preoccupation with speculations about personal relationships and sponsorships, highlighting the negative impact of such discussions on female artists. “It’s not always who’s this one sleeping with, who this one’s sponsor is. This girl this, this girl that. It’s killing us. Too much talk and the politics no dey hia,” she wrote.
Furthermore, Sista Afia underscored the lack of mutual support among female artists, which she believes contributes to their struggles. She observed that male artists tend to engage in more self-promotion and collaboration, as multiple male artists can feature on a song, unlike their female counterparts. She noted, “I found that men engaged in substantially more self-promotion than women. For example, 4-5 male artists can feature on a song but we hardly do that.”
In an attempt to address these issues and foster change, Sista Afia called upon her fellow female artists to support each other actively. She believes that solidarity among women in the industry is crucial for them to receive the recognition they rightfully deserve. Her call for unity resonates with the broader push for female empowerment and gender equality across various sectors.
