Blanck Magazine is a truly
special publication. From their stunning images to insightful
interviews, what’s not to love? This time, their cover subject is
Ghanaian actress, filmmaker and activist Yvonne Nelson.
With back-to-back blockbusters, a
thriving movie production company, a growing fashion empire and an
ever-rising militia of IG followers, YN has earned her
place as one of Africa’s iconic personalities. It would be great to talk
about clothes, shoes, bags, and all the fashionable niceties that come
with being in the spotlight, but Yvonne is certainly not here for them,
at least not today. The world and its dynamics are changing rapidly; she
knows she has a part to play and is more than determined to do her
best.
Sitting to a chat with the Blanck E-I-C Franka Chiedu
She shares in detail her trials, tribulations and triumphs during the
time leading up to and after her #Dumsormuststop campaign as she calls
on other celebrities to use their platforms for the greater good of the
masses who support them daily.
Read excerpts below;
***
In a continent where many would rather
focus on their personal success rather than incur the wrath of the near
authoritarian government, she carried her #Dumsormuststop protest beyond
the shores of social media down to the streets of Ghana – marching from
Legon Campus down to Tetteh Quarshie roundabout with more than ten
thousand army of disenchanted citizens – keeping vigil for a course that
is dear to their hearts. She talks about it here…
“Last year, I started a campaign tagged
‘Dumsor Must Stop’. One evening, the electricity in my house went off
and when this happens in Ghana we refer to it as DUM – SOR, translated
as lights off. A term Ghanaians coined to describe the consistent lack
of power supply. I couldn’t sleep that night; I was sweating and fanning
myself – I decided not to use my generator because the cost of fuelling
it was unbecoming. Yes! We do make a little money here and there but it
can’t all be ploughed into fuelling the generator. What about those
people who can’t afford a generator? Vexed in my spirit, I went on
Twitter and tweeted #Dumsormuststop – I woke up the next day and I
realised it was trending. Everyone was tweeting using the same hashtag
and talking about how they were also frustrated with the situation. At
first, I thought it was a joke and it will soon fade but will only
realise that it wasn’t and it trended for like a week.
The next thing, I got a call from BBC
for an interview which I granted and after that interview the issue went
global. A lot more people started paying attention to the development.
But then, I knew talking about this on social media would not do much to
inspire change. The people responsible are not always on social media. I
needed to do more. So, I made plans to show up in person – to let
people know how serious I was about my concerns.
I called up a few friends and colleagues
– a handful of them responded positively at first, but half way through
the process, some of them got calls from the powers-that-be and pulled
their support. I’m going to reiterate this at this point – the protest
was non-partisan! I don’t care about politics or political affiliations.
I was only speaking my truth based on my personal experience and
conviction.
We faced a lot of challenges and road
blocks; but despite all, went ahead to set a date to organise a vigil.
The government thought we were working against them, which was rather
sad. To think that we live in a country where speaking up against
injustice is perceived as being antagonistic. They label you an
opposition and a rebel.
You can read the complete interview via the Blanck App.
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On Magzter
Cover Credits
Photography: Danny Baldwin
Styled: Ihunna Eberendu
Make Up: Bunmi Ogedengbe
Hair: James Catalano
Story & Creative Direction: Franka Chiedu
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