The Ghanaian entertainment sphere was recently embroiled in controversy following comments made by Kumawood actor, Big Akwes, concerning singer Cina Soul. During a lighthearted segment on Bryt TV, Big Akwes was presented with a hypothetical scenario involving evangelist Nana Agradaa, actress Vivian Jill, and Cina Soul, asking him whom he would marry, kiss, or eliminate. While his responses regarding Nana Agradaa and Vivian Jill – choosing to kiss the former and marry the latter, with whom he has a professional relationship – were relatively innocuous, his statement about Cina Soul triggered a significant backlash. Big Akwes expressed a desire to employ “juju,” a term commonly associated with West African spiritual practices, to summon Cina Soul’s spirit and subsequently “stab her to death.” This graphically violent statement, delivered on a public broadcasting platform, quickly escalated from an offhand remark to a serious matter of concern.
Cina Soul, visibly disturbed by the actor’s comments, took to social media to express her apprehension and call for action. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), she characterized Big Akwes’ statement as deeply unsettling and a genuine threat to her safety. Initially choosing to ignore previous comments from the actor due to a desire to avoid association, Cina Soul stated that the severity of this particular instance compelled her to speak out and seek intervention from the Ghana Police Service. She highlighted the dangerous nature of such rhetoric, particularly when amplified through television and radio broadcasts, emphasizing the need to actively combat the normalization of hate speech and threats of violence. Her post resonated with many, sparking a wider conversation about the responsibility of media platforms and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their public pronouncements.
The incident throws into sharp relief the potential consequences of seemingly harmless entertainment segments that can inadvertently provide a platform for harmful and threatening rhetoric. Big Akwes’ statement, framed within the context of a light-hearted game, transcended the boundaries of acceptable discourse due to its graphically violent nature and its invocation of spiritual practices to inflict harm. This blurring of lines between entertainment and harmful rhetoric raises important questions about the role of media in perpetuating or mitigating such incidents. The casual setting of the television segment, arguably designed to elicit humorous responses, may have inadvertently contributed to the actor’s unrestrained expression of violence, highlighting the potential for such formats to be misused and the need for increased vigilance from broadcasters.
Cina Soul’s response, characterized by a measured yet firm stance, underscored the seriousness of the issue and her commitment to pursuing appropriate action. Her initial reluctance to engage, stemming from a desire to distance herself from the actor, evolved into a determined call for accountability. By publicly addressing the issue and involving the Ghana Police Service, Cina Soul transformed a personal threat into a broader discussion about the prevalence and consequences of hate speech. Her actions served as a powerful example of how individuals can utilize their platforms to challenge harmful rhetoric and advocate for a safer and more responsible media landscape.
The incident also underscores the importance of context and cultural nuances in interpreting such statements. The use of the term “juju” adds another layer of complexity to the situation. While it can sometimes be used in a lighthearted or metaphorical sense, in this context, coupled with the explicit threat of violence, it carries a significant weight, potentially alluding to harmful spiritual practices. Understanding these cultural nuances is crucial in assessing the seriousness of the threat and the potential impact on the targeted individual and the wider community. Cina Soul’s expression of feeling genuinely threatened highlights the need for sensitivity and awareness of these cultural contexts when evaluating such incidents.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the power of words, particularly when amplified by public platforms. It underscores the responsibility of media outlets to exercise caution in the content they broadcast and to ensure that their platforms are not used to disseminate hate speech or violent threats. Cina Soul’s swift action, coupled with the public outcry that ensued, emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable for their words and actions. The incident, while deeply unsettling, has initiated a vital conversation about the prevalence of hate speech and the need for collective action to create a safer and more respectful environment both online and offline. It also highlights the delicate balance between freedom of expression and the responsibility that comes with it, particularly in the context of public platforms and the potential to inflict harm through words. The hope is that this incident will serve as a catalyst for change, prompting greater vigilance from broadcasters and fostering a culture of accountability for harmful rhetoric.
