Funerals are not concerts – Lydia Forson rebukes journalist

Ghanaian actor and a close friend of late former Black Stars winger Christian Atsu, Lydia Forson has taken to social media to lash out at journalists who are more interested in getting stories than caring about people’s emotions.

Her outburst follows videos of a reporter for a local TV station at the funeral of the late former FC Porto winger trying to interview the young son of the former footballer.

The female reporter from Adom TV was seen pushing her microphone at the boy as he walked together with family members of his mother back to their seating place at the forecourt of the statehouse.

Social media users who felt enraged by the act of the reporter for questioning the boy “How do you feel?” have not hidden their disappointment. And one of them is Lydia Forson who wonders why reporters have become so insensitive.

“Funerals are not concerts or for entertainment! Reporters should learn some decorum in how they cover and engage with mourners!” she fumed.

“How do you ask someone if they’re ‘sad’?! And shoving cameras in peoples faces and not giving them even a moment of privacy. Like?!!” she continued.

Aside from her, several others who found the act inappropriate took to the microblogging site Twitter to express their displeasure.

One user by the name Sarah Adebambo reminded journalists that the need for exclusive stories should not be to neglect ethics and empathy.

Kwaku Wheatstone wants more from the Ghanaian media as he puts it, “In which world is it appropriate to try to interview such a small boy who probably doesn’t even understand what is going on? This is just sickening. Ghana media sit up!”

For Yayra Koku, enough is enough and he can’t even comment.

Bra Marfo questioned the professionalism as he puts it, “Someone is mourning his dad and you take your mic and ask him how he is feeling. Adom TV what kind of reporters do you have? No professionalism. Tueh”.

Christian Atsu was laid to rest yesterday, March 17, 2023, at his hometown in Ada Foh after a state-assisted funeral at the forecourt of the statehouse in Accra. His funeral attracted top personalities including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former President John Dramani, vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Black Stars coach Chris Hughton and GFA President Kurt Okraku.

His former colleagues in the national team such as Sulley Muntari, John Mensah, John Painstil, Richard Kingston and Stephen Appiah. Former Ghana international, Abedi Ayew Pele was also present to bid his final goodbye to the winger. Togolese ex-international, Emmanuel Adebayor, former Ivory Coast international Emmanuel Eboue and former FC Porto youth defender Katalin Comoe were also present.

Atsu was trapped in the rubble of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked parts of Turkey and Syria on February 6, killing over 50,000 people. His body was found 12 days later under the rubble and was transported to Ghana for burial.