Ghanaian singer Cina Soul has added her voice to the ongoing national debate over haircut policies in Senior High Schools (SHSs), following a viral video showing a Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS student in tears after being forced to trim her hair.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, October 22, the “Ojorley” hitmaker recounted how a similar experience during her school days deeply affected her confidence.
“I remember having to fake illness for two weeks because I didn’t want my mates to laugh at my haircut. And they did. It completely broke my confidence as a child,” she wrote.
Cina Soul explained that haircut rules, though often justified on grounds of discipline and uniformity, can have long-lasting psychological effects on young girls.
“You’re in class trying to study and there’s people at the back busily laughing at your head,” she added, noting that such ridicule can damage a child’s self-esteem and focus.
Her comments have since resonated with many Ghanaians online, sparking renewed discussion about the relevance and fairness of the haircut policy across SHSs.
She is not the only celebrity to speak out. Actress Lydia Forson has also labelled the rule “archaic”, urging authorities to adopt more flexible grooming standards that promote personal hygiene and self-expression rather than conformity.
“Students should be taught how to care for their natural hair instead of being forced to cut it off,” Forson said in an earlier post.
The viral video of the Yaa Asantewaa Girls’ SHS student has reignited broader questions about discipline versus individuality in Ghana’s educational system. Many social commentators, parents, and former students argue that strict haircut regulations disproportionately affect female students and undermine self-confidence at a formative age.
Education advocates have called for policy reforms that balance neatness and discipline with respect for students’ cultural identity and self-expression.
Cina Soul’s remarks add a personal and emotional dimension to the conversation, highlighting how school grooming policies can leave a lasting imprint on young people’s sense of identity.
