By Seli Baisie
Ghana’s R&B and Afro-Fusion singer, Gyakie, has spoken openly about the pressures of social media and how it has affected her mental health and career.
In an interview with Valerie Danso on the GTV Breakfast Show on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, the “Forever” hitmaker shared how online negativity has shaped her approach to using social media.
“After ‘Forever’ blew up, I got so many negative comments,” Ghanaian singer Gyakie recalled. “People said that was going to be my last big song and I wouldn’t be able to make another hit. It wasn’t a nice feeling. But I signed up for this, and I’ve had to learn to deal with it.”
The 25-year-old added: “When I was climbing to the peak of my career, I realised that comments from a bad place really got to me,” she said. “I’m human, so even though I try not to let them affect me, somehow they do, and I tend to overthink.”
To protect her mental space, The Song Bird took a simple but powerful step: turning off notifications. “I don’t have any notifications on my phone until I get into the app,” she explained. “I don’t scroll through all the comments or check pages. I just make the post and let it do what it has to do.”
The singer, born Jacqueline Acheampong, added that since 2023, she has become more intentional about how she engages online.
“It makes me feel more like a human being and helps me focus on reality,” she said. “The internet is very addictive. If you let the information on there get into your mind and soul, it can be harmful.”
While she still checks in from time to time to hear what fans are saying, Gyakie said she now avoids giving too much attention to online opinions, especially when they’re harsh or dismissive.
“After ‘Forever’ blew up, I got so many negative comments,” she recalled. “People said that was going to be my last big song and I wouldn’t be able to make another hit. It wasn’t a nice feeling. But I signed up for this, and I’ve had to learn to deal with it.”
She encouraged fans to think before they post harsh comments online. “Sometimes, before you pass a comment, just imagine if it was done to you. Would you like it?”
Gyakie and Fame
Gyakie rose to fame in 2020 with her breakout single ‘Forever’, which gained international attention and topped charts across Africa. Known for her smooth blend of Afrobeat, R&B, and highlife, she is one of Ghana’s fastest-rising music stars and the daughter of legendary Ghanaian musician Nana Acheampong.
Her New Release: Sankofa
Gyakie is currently promoting her latest single, Sankofa, which follows the success of her earlier work. The song, which blends reflective lyrics with smooth melodies, encourages listeners to reconnect with their roots and push forward no matter the challenges.
Despite the ups and downs of life in the spotlight, Gyakie remains committed to her music and her message. “It’s better when people support you and tell you that you can do it. But that’s not always the society we live in,” she said. “So you just keep going.”
