Nigerian Afropop singer Adekunle Gold, known for hits like “Gold” and “5 Star,” is leveraging his platform to raise awareness for sickle cell disease. The award-winning artist recently opened up about his own battle with the inherited blood disorder, which disproportionately affects people of African descent.
Gold’s journey to advocacy began with self-reflection. While writing “5 Star,” a song that explores his life’s path, he realized the urgency to speak out. “People are dying,” he told CNN’s Larry Madowo in a recent interview. “People can’t afford basic things they need.” He feels compelled to use his voice to push for international action and improved access to care.
Sickle cell disease causes excruciating pain, anemia, and potentially life-threatening complications due to abnormally shaped red blood cells. Africa bears the brunt of the disease, with Nigeria having the highest burden globally. As many as 150,000 Nigerian babies are born with sickle cell disease each year.
Gold himself endured a challenging childhood, often pushing his limits and experiencing the consequences. However, he emphasizes self-management through exercise, medication, diet, and rest.
His advocacy efforts have highlighted a disturbing lack of public awareness. “Just speaking up about it, I realized that a lot of people are ignorant about it,” he shared with Madowo. He emphasizes the importance of genotype testing and dispelling misconceptions.
Gold identifies the lack of accessible and affordable healthcare as a major barrier. “People don’t have money,” he states. He describes witnessing desperate individuals traveling long distances for basic care unavailable in their communities. He yearns for healthcare systems in Africa to mirror those in developed nations, where sickle cell is a recognized concern.
Gold’s mission is multifaceted. He wants increased awareness, improved treatment options, and a shift in how people with sickle cell are perceived. He serves as a living testament to the possibility of living a full life despite the disease.
The singer’s commitment extends beyond interviews. He has established the Adekunle Gold Foundation to focus on the needs of children battling sickle cell disease across Africa. “It’s game time from now on,” he declares. His fight for global recognition and improved care for those battling sickle cell disease has just begun.
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