Singer-songwriter Yasmeen Helwani says she often feels like an outsider in her home country of Ghana, something which prompted her to release a song about her heritage.
She was born and raised in Ghana to a Lebanese father and Ghanaian mother.
Her latest song - How Are You? - addresses her mixed identity and features another well-known person of mixed heritage, Ghanaian-Romanian Wanlov.
"It speaks of my experience as a Ghanaian and also addresses my Ghanaian brothers and sisters in a local language, telling them - listen I’m your sister, but you don’t know."
Communicating in local languages is the one thing that she has found that changes attitudes about her and helps other perceived differences to fade away.
"Once I mastered the courage to reach out to my community, that was the only thing that broke the ice.
"One of the best things my mum did was allow us to learn local languages," she says.
Helwani's late father, Faisal Helwani, also found his heritage difficult despite being born in Ghana and his legendary status on the music scene in Ghana and West Africa - producing great acts like the highlife band Basa Basa and managing Fela Kuti.
"My father was very interested in musicians, he had a lot of heartbreak because he would invest a lot in people and then eventually being referenced as some foreigner.
"He did face a lot of discrimination during his lifetime here in Ghana."
Latest Stories
-
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs: What we know about the accusations against him
11 mins -
Education giant Excel-Plus Education set to host 2024 Study Abroad Fair at Accra City Hotel
15 mins -
Newmont unites communities through sports as it hosts intercommunity football gala in Akyem
21 mins -
Telecel Ghana and Huawei sign new framework contract to provide better network experience
32 mins -
Hotter countries generate more food waste per capita in households
35 mins -
Kwaku Antwi-Boasiako: Eunuchs and Homosexuality
38 mins -
NIC and partners commit to improve insurance coverage through inclusive insurance
47 mins -
Thieves ransack Obuasi Hospital Medical Superintendent’s residence
58 mins -
Kenya: Safari Rally to be Extended to Five Days
1 hour -
Rebel Wilson lost her virginity at 35; hopes to spread a ‘positive message’ by sharing her story
1 hour -
I applied for speedy hearing of injunction application by Dafeamekpor – Attorney General clarifies
2 hours -
Sarkodie, Keche, Yvonne Nelson, other celebs angered by Tema General Hospital power outage
2 hours -
Kenya – Strengthening Healthcare: World Health Organization (WHO) Donates 940 Tablets for Health Emergency Response
2 hours -
BoG appoints Dr. Joseph France as advisor for management of UMB
2 hours -
WAFU B U-17 Cup of Nations to be staged in Accra in May
2 hours