Ghanaian singer Wendy Shay has appealed to the public to respond with understanding rather than condemnation following a viral video involving a Russian national and several Ghanaian women.
The widely circulated footage has sparked intense debate across social media platforms, with many expressing outrage over the alleged circumstances surrounding the incident. However, while performing on February 16, 2026, Wendy Shay paused her set to address the controversy and call for empathy.
She clarified that she was not defending the actions captured in the video but felt the reaction toward the women had become excessively harsh.
“I am sure many of us have seen the videos circulating online involving a Russian man and some Ghanaian women. I am not defending what happened, but there is something important we must consider,” she told her audience.
According to the singer, the situation reflects deeper societal narratives that have been embedded over generations. She argued that many Africans have been subconsciously conditioned from childhood to view white foreigners as superior.
“What happened stems from the ideas passed down by our parents and grandparents. We were made to feel as though white people or foreigners are somehow more important or more human than we are as black people. What occurred could have involved anyone,” she stated.
Wendy Shay urged Ghanaians to reduce the level of public shaming directed at the women involved. She emphasized that while accountability is important, compassion should not be abandoned.
“Please, let us ease the judgement. They are human beings too,” she said, encouraging people to focus on addressing the alleged wrongdoing rather than humiliating those affected.
The controversy has triggered broader conversations about consent, exploitation, and the portrayal of African women online. Some critics argue that the incident reinforces harmful stereotypes, while others have called for thorough investigations into the circumstances surrounding the recordings.
Wendy Shay suggested that the episode may have been orchestrated to promote damaging narratives about African women.
“It appears his intention was to push the narrative that African women are cheap, but that is simply not true,” she remarked.
Concluding her address, the musician called for solidarity and emotional support for the women at the centre of the storm. She stressed that societal attitudes shaped by history and upbringing should be examined rather than used as weapons against individuals.
“Instead of tearing them down, we should unite and help these women to heal,” she urged.
Her remarks have since generated mixed reactions online, with some applauding her call for compassion and others maintaining that accountability must remain the priority.
