Ghanaian singer Sista Afia has urged fellow artistes to pay greater attention to hygiene during live performances, particularly when using microphones shared by multiple performers.
The musician made the call in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, raising concerns about the practice of artistes using the same microphone at events without sanitising it between performances.
According to Sista Afia, performers often move from one event to another and share microphones with several people who sing, speak and breathe into the same equipment.
She believes artistes should take precautions to reduce their exposure to germs by disinfecting microphones before using them.
“I’m going to say something controversial, but my fellow artists need to hear this. PLEASE DISINFECT THE MIC BEFORE YOU PUT YOUR MOUTH ON IT!” she wrote.
She noted that artistes may use shared microphones at several shows and sometimes fall ill after performances, although she acknowledged that illnesses cannot necessarily be attributed to the equipment.
“I’m not saying every sickness after a show comes from a microphone, but with so many people sharing the same equipment, why not take precautions?” she added.
Sista Afia suggested that artistes carry microphone-safe disinfectant sprays or sanitising wipes with them and clean shared microphones before performing.
She also encouraged performers who can afford it to consider taking their own microphones to events.
The singer’s comments have drawn attention to hygiene practices in the live entertainment industry, where microphones are often passed between performers at concerts, festivals, corporate events and other public gatherings.
She also called for greater attention from event organisers, sound engineers and production teams to ensure shared equipment is properly cleaned between users.
Sista Afia said her message was ultimately about encouraging artistes to take their health seriously while navigating the demands of the entertainment industry.
“Your health first,” she concluded.
