Meet Serwaa Ampaafo, Ghana's Own Rosa Parks

Proud of her natural hair and more

The name "Serwaa Ampaafo" has been in the trends since yesterday. I may not have met her before; however, the name still rings a bell and I'm yet to connect the dots. What may have gotten her name in the trends?

Well, she shared an opinion about the Nigeria Chef Hilda Bassey Effiong, admitting her effort to break the Guinness World Record for longest cooking hours is admirable and remarkable. However, she received a lot of backlash from netizens when she suggested that Chef Hilda Bassey Effiong wearing of acrylic nails being a Chef may be improper and she (Serwaa Ampaafo) may not want to eat food prepared by her.

This may not have been borne out of malice as she has heaped so much praise and admiration on Hilda for achieving a great feat that is in the process of gaining global recognition from Guinness Book of Records.

There have also been credible studies that amplify the fact that acrylic nails harbor more bacteria than natural nails. This is actually not difficult to authenticate. So why is Serwaa Ampaafo being attacked?

Snooping on her page I chanced on another opinion she shared about wigs and artificial hair. It further revealed her activism for natural hair and the use of natural skin products. And indeed, she is in the trade of natural skin and hair products.

Even as she found the Asantehene and spouse representing at King Charles's lll coronation as custodians of our culture, it wasn't flattering on her part to see the wife of the King wearing what is purportedly a "Peruvian wig". This opinion may not have been taken lightly by netizens as well, however I believe all these dissection, critic or shared opinion by Serwaa with regards to Asantehene comes with the territory. He attended the event in the capacity of a custodian of our culture as Africans and any other Ghanaian may have expressed similar sentiments. I believe the Asantehene himself may not flare up over such a comment as much as we are doing. IT COMES WITH THE TERRITORY.

Our society is one that has always been patriarchal. Our women have descended on the social structure even though the livelihood of our families have always and still depended on our women. We have for a long time being in the business of shutting up our women and turning our backs to our strong women or women with such potentials.

We have always been raised to be timid and not expressive of our thoughts. We are mostly unable to be direct and upfront with the truth and rather dilute it with doses of diplomacy. Even though I agree finesse is vital and a sign of refinement, how often should we massage truths?

Serwaa Ampaafo in my opinion exudes good self-esteem, self-respect and confidence. Such a potential should be harnessed and not destroyed. She has made a statement that she finds herself as the most beautiful woman on the internet. She is encouraging any woman with natural hair, natural skin with good looks to step up and be seen. She is refusing to cower to any form of bullying. Her loaded statement also means she is a beautiful woman who is comfortable with herself. We are surrounded by many women who don't see themselves beautiful, who have no more self-worth and are depressed. A dose of the confidence and self-love Serwaa is exhibiting will be a remedy to these other women.

I believe we are all entitled to our opinions once it does not transcend the embankments of other people's rights. Can we respect her opinion about herself?

Wont it be worth supporting a young woman in activism for natural hair, natural skin and the use of natural skin products? What can be more empowering than this when most of us are going pale by reducing the melanin in our skins?

I believe the several effects of slavery including the inferiority complex is something we may live with for so long. But let's be thankful for people who keep reminding us that we are black people with a huge heritage and a future written in the past. Serwaa Ampaafo may be another Claudette Colvin, Rosa Parks or Yaa Asantewaa that has returned. Let us be easy on her.

Long live mother Ghana
Dumenu Charles Selorm