Sarkodie's troubles deepen over “Jennifer Lomotey” lyrics

The troubles of popular Hiplife musician, Sarkodie, over allegations he insulted Krobo girls in the song, Jennifer Lomotey seems  far from over, as he has been threatened with a court action.

The artist has received backlash for a line in the song which claims Okomfo Anokye, a legendary priest in Ashanti folklore, cursed a certain Krobo lady with promiscuity and that explains why public perception women from that tribe are promiscuous:  “A noble Krobo lady with beads around her waist who has been cursed by Okomfo Anokye with promiscuity.”

Many deemed this as stereotypical, discriminatory and demeaning to the people of Krobo. He has since apologized, stressing the line in the song is a joke and wouldn’t offend the people from the tribe. He said the mother of his daughter is also Krobo. 

But his explanation has not gone down well with some groups from the town who say the multi award winning artist will pay for his sins.  The Krobo Heritage and Advocacy Group, for example, has filed a writ at the court accusing the rapper of giving credence to a myth which denigrate a noble group

“This [lyric] is founded on a myth and in this case, this myth is created to cast aspersions on the Krobo people. They are therefore prejudiced and discriminatory, contrary to Article 17(2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ghana which provides that “[a] person shall not be discriminated against on grounds of […] ethnic origin [...]”.

Lawyer for the group  Kwadwo Appiagyei-Atua says  Sarkodie must among others pay an amount of GH¢2,000,000 to the people of Krobo or in default face them in court.

Mr. Appiagyei-Atua is seeking the following reliefs on behalf of the group:

1. Issue an immediate order to the relevant media houses asking them to halt playing the “Jennifer Lomotey” song on their airwaves;
2. Expunge or cause to be expunged the portion of the lyrics which my clients find offensive and defamatory or completely ban the use of that song from the airwaves;
3. Expunge or cause to be expunged all audio and video clips of the song which are found on various social media platforms that are registered in your name;
4. Write an unreserved apology to the Chiefs and people of the Krobo Traditional Area, including a statement to the effect that such an offensive act will not be repeated against the Krobo people;
5. Make a statement to the general public advising them to desist from transferring or sharing the song which contains the offensive lyrics with anybody else; and,
6. For denting the image of the Krobo people and dragging their hard earned reputation in the mud, pay a compensation of two million Ghana cedis (GHS2, 000,000) to the Krobo people.

Producer of the song David Kojo Kyei (aka Kaywa) has confirmed receiving a service from the lawyer on behalf of the group