BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Ghanaian singer Sefa has called on key players within the entertainment industry, particularly disc jockeys and media presenters, to treat female artists with greater respect and professionalism.
The musician stressed that women in the music industry should not have to deal with sexual advances before receiving support or opportunities to promote their work.
Speaking in an interview on Okay FM, the “Echoke” hitmaker said that although she personally has not experienced such inappropriate behaviour, she is aware that many female artistes in the industry have faced similar situations.
According to her, the issue remains a concern within Ghana’s entertainment landscape and must be addressed through a change in attitudes among industry stakeholders.
Sefa explained that when she first entered the music industry, many of the men she encountered treated her like a younger sister.
She believes that this respectful approach helped protect her from uncomfortable experiences that some women in the industry have reported.
However, she cautioned against dismissing the problem simply because some artistes may not have personally encountered it.
According to the singer, several female musicians have openly spoken about facing sexual advances in exchange for professional assistance, a situation she believes undermines the credibility and growth of the industry.
She therefore urged men in the entertainment space to adopt a more respectful mindset and treat female artistes as colleagues or family members rather than viewing them through a sexual lens.
“Not every woman you meet should be approached with sexual intentions,” she said, adding that creating a more respectful environment would make the industry safer and more supportive for women pursuing music careers.
Beyond the issue of inappropriate advances, Sefa also highlighted what she described as the unequal promotion of male and female artistes within the entertainment industry.
She argued that male musicians often receive greater media coverage and publicity, while achievements by female artistes frequently receive limited recognition.
To illustrate her point, the singer referenced the success of her hit single “Echoke,” which gained significant popularity nationwide. Riding on the momentum of the song, Sefa organised a concert at Ho Sports Stadium in January 2022, an event she said successfully filled the venue.
Despite the turnout and public interest surrounding the show, Sefa believes the achievement did not receive the level of media attention it deserved.
According to her, if a male artist had recorded a similar milestone, it might have generated much greater publicity across entertainment platforms.
