Ghanaian hip-hop artiste, Ko-Jo Cue
Ghanaian hip-hop artiste Ko-Jo Cue has called for more open conversations about mental health, particularly within the entertainment industry.
In a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, he shared his personal experiences with mental health challenges and emphasised the importance of seeking help.
According to Ko-Jo Cue, who has been open about his own struggles, seeking help demonstrates vulnerability, a quality he sees as a strength rather than a weakness.
He stated that acknowledging one’s challenges and taking steps to address them is a sign of personal growth.
The artiste, known for the hit single “Up & Awake,” revealed that two traumatic events in quick succession, coupled with the pressures of the COVID-19 pandemic, had a profound emotional impact on him. These experiences ultimately led him to pursue therapy.
“In 2020 and 2021, I faced two back-to-back traumatic experiences that pushed me to my limits. I’m intentionally withholding some details as they relate closely to my upcoming projects, both in theme and execution.
“However, those events occurring so closely together, alongside the pressures of COVID, became overwhelming. It was this situation that drove me to seek therapy and address the challenges I was facing,” he explained.
Ko-Jo Cue, whose real name is Linford Kennedy Amankwaa, also discussed how travel became a transformative healing tool for him.
“I travelled extensively. At one point, I visited Nigeria, then Kenya, spent some time in the US, and even lived in Italy for a while. My travels took me all over, including various places here [in Ghana].
“The essence behind that was simple: a change in environment can often clear your head.
“It’s similar to how tidying up your room can enhance your mental clarity. When you’re in a new space, your brain is flooded with fresh information to process, leaving little room for overthinking or moping. It helps you reset,” he shared.
In addition to travel, Ko-Jo Cue highlighted the importance of therapy, connecting with friends, and engaging in activities like gardening to manage his emotions and stay grounded.
ID/MA
Click here to follow the GhanaWeb Entertainment WhatsApp channel
You can also watch an exclusive interview with Ayisi on the latest edition of Talkertainment below: