Ghanaian filmmaker and actress Leila Djansi recently shared a photo of a Christmas hut, sparking a wave of memories among her followers.
“For anyone who grew up in Ghana in the 80s and 90s, this image needs no explanation,” Djansi wrote.
“As children, we built these huts ourselves, sometimes with the help of our parents. There were budding architects among us.
“Some folks built three-story buildings from sticks and palm fronds, decorated with flowers. The unity. This wasn’t just a testament to African skill and creativity. I don’t know its connection to Christmas, but, it is what sealed Christmas for us.”
Her post initially celebrated the ingenuity and communal spirit of Ghanaian childhoods. However, some male commenters took the discussion in a disturbing direction.
Djansi called out these responses, emphasizing that children cannot consent to sex and that recounting such experiences as humor or nostalgia is deeply harmful.
“Not a single woman in the comments sexualized the hut. That is not a coincidence. Women recognize sexual violence early.
“We internalize shame. We are not brazen enough to gleefully sexualize childhood experiences. Why? Girls were the VICTIMS!” she stated.
Djansi also addressed men directly; “These huts were built when we were barely teens.
By 12, I had lost interest. Coming to Facebook to boast about sexual encounters before 16 is not bragging. It is not glee.
“It is a failure to feel shame. Learn to distinguish between childhood memory and sexual projection.”
The filmmaker concluded her post by drawing a firm line; “Sharing stories of childhood sexual experiences framed as jokes crosses a boundary. My boundary. It’s disgusting!!!!”
