What started as a regular morning conversation on YFM’s Ryse N Shyne quickly turned into a deeper reflection on relationships, belief systems, and the quiet influence of practices many people talk about only in whispers. The show hosted representatives from GhanaWeb to unpack their recent Kayamata documentary, a piece that has already stirred strong reactions across social media and beyond.
The documentary, produced by GhanaWeb journalist Elsie Sedem Bubuama, popularly known as Elsie Lamar, with her colleague Edward Smith Anamale, takes a deeper look into the world of Kayamata, a practice often associated with charms and products believed to influence relationships, attraction, and control over partners. The film examines how the practice operates in parts of society and the impact it has had on individuals and families.
During the interview, the GhanaWeb team explained that the motivation behind the documentary was simply curiosity mixed with concern. According to them, Kayamata has long circulated in whispers, social media discussions, and street conversations, but rarely receives serious journalistic scrutiny. Therefore, the documentary attempts to peel back the layers and present the human stories behind the phenomenon.
Elsie Lamar, the producer, indicated that the research process of the documentary involved speaking with a wide range of people, including practitioners, individuals who claim to have used Kayamata products, and others who say they have been affected by it. What emerged from those conversations was a complicated picture of belief, desperation, power dynamics, and sometimes manipulation.
Speaking on the origins of Kayamata, Elsie Lamar, who led the documentary, explained that the practice did not originally begin as something sinister. According to her, Kayamata traces its roots to Northern Nigeria where it was traditionally used as herbal preparations meant to help brides enhance intimacy and strengthen attraction between them and their husbands.
“But over time, it has evolved into something quite different,” Elsie said. “What we are seeing now is people turning to Kayamata as a way to gain control in relationships.”
She explained that during her team’s investigation, many of the people who admitted to using Kayamata were married women trying to protect their marriages.
“A lot of the women we spoke to said they use it because they want to keep their husbands away from side chicks,” she noted. “For them, it’s almost like a defence mechanism.”
Elsie added that one of the most surprising discoveries for the production team was just how widespread the belief in Kayamata has become. In many communities, conversations around it happen quietly but quite frequently, often tied to relationship struggles or the fear of losing a partner.
Adding his thoughts to the discussion, Edward Smith Anamale noted that the documentary goes beyond the mystery surrounding Kayamata and opens up a broader conversation about relationships in today’s society, particularly among young people. According to him, many young people now form their ideas about love and relationships from social media, where certain lifestyles and expectations are constantly being projected.
“A lot of young people today are learning about relationships from social media, where everything looks perfect and effortless. But behind that, there are pressures, expectations, and sometimes desperation.”
He added that factors such as economic pressure, shifting gender roles, and the growing “soft life” culture are quietly influencing how many people approach relationships today.
The team behind the documentary also stressed that the goal of the project was not to sensationalise the issue but to encourage awareness and critical thinking. By documenting real experiences and perspectives, they hope audiences will better understand the psychological and social factors that allow such practices to thrive.
Since its release, the documentary has sparked strong reactions online, with many viewers sharing their own experiences and opinions about Kayamata. The GhanaWeb team believes the conversation itself is a sign that the documentary has achieved its purpose.
For Ryse N Shyne host Brown Berry, the discussion ultimately points to something bigger than the mystery around Kayamata itself. He believes the topic touches on deeper issues that many people are quietly dealing with in their relationships.
“Whether you believe in Kayamata or not, the bigger conversation is about trust and insecurity in relationships,” he said. “People are looking for ways to hold on to love, sometimes out of fear of losing it.”
From the reactions already coming in after the documentary aired, it’s clear the subject has struck a nerve. And if the conversation on Ryse N Shyne is anything to go by, the debate around Kayamata and what it says about modern relationships is only just beginning.
