Africans across the continent have erupted in fury at British-Ghanaian actress Michaela Coel after she claimed that West Africans no longer want to immigrate to the United Kingdom, insisting she should speak for herself and not for 54 African nations.
In an interview with The Sunday Times, the 38-year-old “I May Destroy You” star said the UK has “lost the attraction it once had” and that she feels “more at peace” in Ghana. She suggested that “if people can find a way out” of Britain, they will.
The comments have sparked a firestorm online, with many accusing Coel of speaking on behalf of millions who still see the UK as a land of opportunity.
“Michaela Coel should speak for herself and her home country, not for all 54 African nations,” one X user wrote. Another added, “She knows where the airport is. If Britain is so terrible, she should get out and stay out.”
Critics pointed out that while Coel enjoys the privileges of a UK passport and global platform, many Africans continue to risk their lives crossing the Sahara and the Mediterranean for a chance at a British future. “Tell that to the families saving for years to sponsor their children’s UK education,” another comment read.
The backlash reflects growing frustration at celebrities who criticise the West while continuing to benefit from its opportunities.
Coel, who splits her time between London and Ghana, has not yet responded to the online firestorm.
