Organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards, Charterhouse have defended the security protocols at the event as adequate, despite a brawl that marred the 20th edition.
Charterhouse CEO, Theresa Ayoade traced the brawl partly to an unfortunate breach in the seating arrangement.
She said all the nominees were supposed to sit at a designated area, but Dance hall artiste, Shatta Wale gave up his seat to his father.
Mrs Ayoade said Shatta Wale, failed to adhere to the protocols and sat amongst his fans. The Charter House CEO expressed disappointment at the turn of events, saying the award has reached a milestone that deserves international attention and not what happened on Saturday.
She maintained there were adequate security checks on patrons, noting that the two artistes are likely to face some sanctions. Mrs Ayoade said the VGMAs will in future be designed to bring in true fans and not fanatics.
Meanwhile, the two remain in police custody assisting with investigations. Greater Accra Regional Director of Operations of the Police Service, ACP Kwesi Ofori, said Dancehall artistes Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale, will be charged depending on the outcome of the investigations.
Father of 2019 VGMA Highlife Artiste of the Year, Shatta Wale, Charles Mensah says his son did not have a gun at the VGMA’s event. Mr. Mensah was speaking to journalists at the Tesano Police Station, where the self-acclaimed dance hall king was being questioned for on-stage disturbances during the awards event.
He said he never saw any of Shatta’s boys holding a gun, adding that it is unfair for the police to detain his son alongside the 2019 VGMA Dancehall Artiste of the Year, Stonebwoy, who was seen in videos wielding a gun. Shatta Wale’s father says they will take the matter up with their lawyers if the case persists.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Tourism and Creative Arts, Mrs. Barbara Oteng Gyasi says her Ministry will be collaborating with the Interior Ministry to lay down rules and procedures for both event organisers as well as the audience.
Sharing her thoughts with GBC’s Radio Ghana on the Stonebwoy- Statta Wale saga at the Vodafon Ghana Music Awards, VGMA last Saturday, Mrs. Oteng Gyasi said proper security tactics with strict rules must be employed at all entertainment programmes to ensure the safety of people.
The Minister said several statements have been issued by both organisers of the programme. The Minister asked the organisers and award winners to apologise to the international community.
In a related development, Security Analyst Adam Bonah wants the dance hall artist Stonebwoy to be detained by the police for pulling a gun at the VGMA’s held Saturday night. The event which was to honour musicians who had excelled in the year in review ended abruptly without the presentation of the prestigious artist of the year and the popular song of the year.
A brawl erupted between the camps of Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy, as Shatta Wale walked unto the stage when his musical arch rival, Stonebwoy was about to receive his award. The ensuing brawl between the two camps grounded the show to a halt for close to about 30 minutes before dancehall artiste Samini took to the stage to perform.
During the brawl stonebwoy was caught in video pulling a gun.
Speaking to GBC’s Radio Ghana, Security analyst says if the artist and persons who caused the commotion are not dealt with it might degenerate to something deadly in future.
