Far away in the South of France, Cannes, I read with disappointment that Ghanaian musician-Sarkodie who has been one of the strong pillars of the whole #DumsorMustStop vigil will not be partaking in the protest set to bring the plight of Ghanaians to the incumbent government over the unbearable power crisis.
Despite my disappointment—this was short lived and this is because, I know it’s typical of most Ghanaians to forfeit collective struggles or nationalism when such enterprises clash with their individual gains.
Apparently, Sarkodie is currently out of the country working with American rapper-Ace Hood and social media for some hours has been celebrating this as a great achievement—perhaps it is a career milestone but not when weighed against the fact that he let down a whole generation of followers whose collective interest is at stake to pursue his individual career goal.
On the face of it, ‘man must do whatever he has to in order to shine’ but deep down, it’s a reflection of the Ghanaian personality—somewhat confirming the hovering misconception that demonstrations in Ghana are staged by those who have nothing better to do with their time.
Sarkodie has a job to do and as such, all of a sudden the #DumsorMustStop vigil becomes an opportunity cost in relation to his scale of preference. Some of us thought this was paramount and even if it didn’t mean much to him, the fact that he has voluntarily become the mouth piece of millions of Ghanaians who are suffering under Dumsor places him at a strategic position which demands that he sticks his nose throughout the protest. And by this, he should not have excused him self from the vigil no matter the reason—worse, for an individual project.
Do we think Martin Luther King, Mahatma Ghandi, Nelson Mandela, Kwame Nkrumah and Rosa Park did not have their own private enterprises? Of course they did but they mostly quenched the tempting fire of individualism—the desire to go for money or career—over nationalism and fought alongside the populace as though they did not have anything better doing. I am not literally comparing Sarkodie to any of these great activists but Sarkodie assumed a role similar to them with this Dumsor campaign—unfortunately, he could not go through with it.
How many people will turn up for the #DumsorMustStop vigil if everyone decide to place his or her personal interest and pursuit over the power crisis which is affecting all the different layers of our Ghanaian lives? Imagine if the church goers forfeit the vigil to go to the church, those going to the cinema opt out for that purpose—and those who feel lazy to step out decided to pursuit individualism by staying in bed…What will be left of the vigil?
Though Yvonne Nelson has come out to state that Sarkodie knew he was not going to be at the vigil and as such, he recorded a video to stand in his absence, the question is; is this enough of a commitment from someone who has led several people to join this cause?
Ghana is where it is today because majority of us lack true patriotism, our sense of nationalism is always in doubt and we don’t mind selling out our country for personal gains. That is why we are blessed with a bunch of politicians who tow the individual line of greed and corruption—instead of fighting the national cause of serving the people to improve their lives. In our little corners, our parents even advise us not to take part in national protests because of fear of troubles—it’s just a Ghanaian thing, crippling our country…
For some of us, a leader is that one person who is able to forfeit his greatest individual opportunity for his people and join their suffering—and in this case, the cap doesn’t fit Sarkodie.
Am not really surprised myself either cos this isn’t the first time sarkodie has pulled a stunt like this. I remember when he and r2bees were complaining about being paid $10,000 whilst p-square got $200,000 and threatened to boycott the show but he ended up doing the show anyway. Sarkodie doesn’t feel the effects of the hardship in Ghana because he’s rich and can escape whenever he likes. He probably has solar panels or a generator, he’s essentially not going through any problems. Personally, sarkodie doesn’t really seem like the kind of person to have enough passion to tackle social issues in Ghana but would only rap about it because the citizens would buy the music. Ghanaian citizens should plan and face the issues themselves because it’s not like anyone is actually going to help them.
Well Said Julie,Sarkodie is just a fake populist individual .I guess he showed Ghanaians the real definition of what individualism is all about.smh
i remember that issue very well
Based on your own analysis you are also part of the problem. You could have also joined the demo instead of being in Cannes. If shooting a video with a big act like Acehood isnt as important as being in Cannes then ill agree. He wasnt in America on vacation, he was working just as you are working. Everyone except our leaders is trying to lift the name of Ghana higher in their little way. So next time write about how you are also part of the problem.
And have I said I support #DumsorMustStop campaign to be required to be there or at best, have I started a campaign and asked others to follow the campaign only to disappear last minute? I find it difficult to see the end of your logic…
If I start a campaign or join one and lead others to be part of the campaign (placing me as a campaign leader), I wouldn’t put my personal enterprise above all these people put together. That is not the hallmark of a leader…
Thanks for throwing in your own logic—even though misplaced…
Point of correction, sarkodie never started the Dumsormuststop campaign and vigil. He only lent his support to an Yvone Nelson Initiative.
Sarkodie and the organisers knew from day one that He would not be present on the D day .
He could have folded his arms and not participated in the organisation of the vigil because of his scheduled trip. But instead he contributed his quota to the campaign by recording the offficial rallying song Dumsor”.
So cut the brother some slack for he did more for the campaign with that song alone than most of the interviews granted by most of the other Celebrities on board.
My friend, the letter to the police regional commander had 2 names clearly stated as the main organizers. it was Yvonne and Sarkodie so get your facts right.
Sakodie’s spokes person lol
Ah Larry are you serious??
Chris never started a campaign or instructed his Lawyers to write letters to the Ghana police alerting them of his intention to have a dumsor vigil ON A SPECIFIED DATE!!! A date he knew well in advance but never said a word to his fans. Sarkodie failed soo many of his fans today because he told them to come out in their numbers to support him and yvonne because he will be there.
The truth is he and Lydia weighed the political climate and decieded what was best for their career and their course. It doesnt mean they are happy about dumsor, not at all. But they are smart enough to understand that in this part of our world, you have to be extremely calculated and tactful when embarking on certain public actions because it will leave an indelible mark on you and as a celebrity, your career/image can also take a serious hit. Sarkodie knows our problem will not be solved for sometime. The vigil has happened but my light still went off so what has Yvonne achieved aside from self attention and noise? She did not even give ONE solution or alternative request to Mahama today. NOT EVEN ONE. If you observe carefully even ppl like Delay (BFF of Yvonne), Becca, Lydia forson, Sarkodie, Joselyn dumas, majid, Nikki, Ama K etc etc kept their distance. It is not because they are stupid. It is because they are more tactful than Yvonne Nelson.
Even worse, no noticable or prominent member of either NDC/ NPP/CPP etc attended to show support. Infact the whole thing was like a sponsored walk with everyone trying to take pictures with Yvonne and Co just to post on instagram.
Yvonne, Sarkodie and Lydia where tagged as the dumsor trio. Not Chris. Don’t be fooled to think Sark and Lydia could not have rearranged their priorities. Sarkodie could have come and so could Lydia. If they were not present, then they sure know why!!!
@Larry I believe in not starting something you can’t end, he was at the forefront of the whole vigil and his latter reaction didn’t suit the stand he took. It is pure individualism.