Musician and actress Nana Frema has attributed some forms of male dominance and intimidation of women to upbringing and cultural conditioning, particularly within certain homes and communities.
Speaking in an interview with MzGee on G O’clock, Frema argued that many men feel threatened by outspoken women because they were raised to believe that women should not have a voice, especially within marriage.
“Men naturally do not want women to talk. It all boils down to ego. Some men are selfish, and many are narcissistic,” she said, adding that such attitudes often stem from childhood experiences.
According to her, men who grow up witnessing their fathers dominate or silence their mothers may carry those behaviours into their own relationships.
“That upbringing reflects in how they treat women. Some men saw their fathers say anything they wanted to their mothers, and they repeat the same pattern. Sometimes, it even has to do with culture,” she noted.
However, Frema was quick to clarify that not all men fit this description, stressing that men who are properly raised are more open to women’s opinions and partnership in marriage.
“I will also say not all men are like that. There are men who were raised well and are willing to accommodate the input of women in a union,” she said.
The mother of two boys used the opportunity to appeal directly to mothers, urging them to consciously raise their sons to respect women and value their voices.
“A lot is going on. In some Ghanaian communities, men are taught to be bossy and believe women should not speak,” she claimed. “Mothers must do better in raising their sons.”
She challenged deeply rooted gender stereotypes that confine women to domestic roles while elevating men simply because of their gender.
“The fact that you have sons does not mean women should always be in the kitchen while the man relaxes just because he is a man. Is he God?” she questioned.
Frema’s comments have sparked conversations around parenting, culture, and gender roles in Ghanaian society.
