Ghanaian singer Sista Afia has talked candidly about the particular challenges experienced by female musicians, citing gender stereotyping, social constraints, and the ongoing fear of rumors as major roadblocks.
The “Jeje” hitmaker discussed how these difficulties have affected her career and forced her to value independence and prudence in her work relationships in an interview with Neat FM.
Sista Afia stressed that the public’s propensity to make assumptions about female artists’ personal lives is a major source of stress for them. Perhaps it’s because I’m a woman that I can’t spend a lot of time with men.
She emphasized the restrictions imposed on their social interactions by saying, “The minute I mingle with a man, rumors start flying that I have an affair with him.”
This environment, she explained, restricts opportunities for mentorship and collaboration, as female artists often hesitate to associate with male industry figures to avoid being unfairly labelled or misrepresented.
“We can’t even have godfathers or male mentors. The moment we get one, rumours come out that the person is a sugar daddy,” she added.
Sista Afia stressed that many stories about female artists are based on speculation, recounting instances where innocent outings with male friends were misinterpreted as romantic relationships.
The singer also highlighted the inappropriate advances made by some men who offer assistance with ulterior motives.
“A man can reach out to me and say, ‘Afia, I like you, I want to help you.’ They don’t say ‘I want to help you’; they start with ‘I like you.’ Then you know what they want,” she added, explaining the underlying pressure.
These experiences, she said, have made her cautious and determined to maintain control and independence in her career.
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