Black Sherif Walks London Fashion Week As Though It's An Achievement Whilst Ignoring His Nations Fashion Events

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Today marks a significant day in history for many Ghanaians on social media as they cheer and support Black Sherif’s appearance at London Fashion Week for a UK designer brand (whose name we won’t promote). However, is it a moment of celebration or an opportunity to reflect on the backward nature of Ghana and its celebrities?

Before delving into this article, one may contemplate its necessity or potential loss of followers for shedding a dark tone on a moment that Ghanaians are celebrating. Nevertheless, the truth is the truth, and let’s delve into it.

Black Sherif’s recent appearance on LFW is being celebrated in Ghana. This is the same artist whose management consistently ignored requests from event organizers in Ghana for his participation in their events, be it award shows or fashion weeks. Even when awards were presented to him, his absence was excused with reasons like “he will be out of the country” or “he has a show that day,” only for those excuses to prove untrue.

for a random brand with no extraordinary theatrics or stage setting that surpasses anything being done in Ghana.

WHAT ARE WE CREATING?

Ghana needs to reflect on the type of celebrities being created, spanning musicians, models, and actors, all eager to associate with anything Western. Designers and models behaving as if they transcend Ghana the moment they participate in a Western fashion show. Musicians believing they’ve made it because DJ Khaled or Rick Ross shook hands with them. Photographers rushing to include white ladies in their shots. Actors renouncing the local industry in Ghana because they acted in ‘Beast Of No Nation’ and now they are nobodies.

Supporting acts and talents without accountability is limiting various sectors within our industry. Blindly cheering for talent without understanding why our celebrity musicians promote Western brands is a concern. It’s good for them to make money, but why are Ghanaians cheering for it?

Black Sherif’s presence, like many celebrities, can give international exposure to fashion events in Ghana and draw attention to our culture and creatives, despite the fact whether the events can afford him or not.

But do we not understand the economic scales? Do we not realize these countries (that can afford his status) achieved economic stability by exploiting our lands and resources? Last week, we complained about London’s V&A Museum lending us the same jewels it stole during the colonial era.

Unfortunately, we won’t see him and other celebrities do that in Ghana because our DJs, media, and blogs don’t hold talents accountable to their nation and fans. This is why when issues like #ENDSARS arise, we wonder where their voices are. They will be nowhere to be found.

Every day, somewhere, a pundit or artist screams ‘Support Ghanaian Music,’ and the question is ‘For What?’ Why should Ghanaians do so? At whose benefit? So they can use the clout given to sell us Western designer brands and showcase their life abroad?

Black Sherif parading at LFW is not the issue; the problem lies in him doing so while spending half a decade of his career ignoring homegrown events and designers. All whilst other celebrities, like Camidoh, choose to buy a ticket to go abroad rather than supporting their own. By all means, cheer them on for sitting on a plane; we’ll pass.