The French Embassy in Ghana has officially responded to a petition from the New Ghana Social Justice Forum, a non-governmental organization (NGO), that sought to exclude Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie from performing at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The petition, dated July 8, 2024, accused Sarkodie of misogyny and cited concerns over his past actions and statements.

Petition and Accusations

The New Ghana Social Justice Forum petitioned the French National Olympic and Sports Committee to exclude Sarkodie from performing, citing lyrics from his song “Jennifer Lomotey” that referenced a folklore about Krobo women and promiscuity. Additionally, the group mentioned his recent conflict with actress Yvonne Nelson, who alleged in her memoir that Sarkodie forced her to abort a pregnancy. The NGO argued that honouring Sarkodie with a performance platform is concerning, especially for pregnant women, due to his past actions and statements.

Embassy’s Response

In a letter dated July 19, 2024, Ambassador Jules-Armand Aniambossou clarified that Sarkodie, known privately as Michael Owusu Addo, will not be performing at the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Instead, the embassy stated that his performance is scheduled for the Africa Fan Zone ‘Station Afrique’ on August 9, 2024, an independent cultural event coinciding with the Olympics.

Embassy’s Stance

The Embassy acknowledged the concerns raised by the NGO and emphasized its commitment to promoting equal human rights, gender equality, and women’s empowerment. The embassy stated that it does not endorse any form of discrimination, highlighting its dedication to inclusivity and respect for all individuals.

Performance Details

Sarkodie’s performance is scheduled to take place at the Africa Fan Zone ‘Station Afrique’ on August 9, 2024, at Stade Robert César-L’Île-Saint-Denis. ‘Station Afrique’ is an independent cultural event running concurrently with the Olympic games.