Blows and guns at VGMA 2019; how it all happened

The 20th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA) that was aimed at celebrating two decades of the annual musical event was marred by violence involving two of the country’s leading Raggae/Dancehall Artistes, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy who both spent Sunday night behind bars.

MyNewsGh.com has been digging deep into how the whole pandemonium broke out at the night meant to celebrate musicians for their meritorious contributions to the music industry.

The event started almost at midnight with scintillating performances from some of the country’s finest musicians after the red carpet that showcased what celebrities wore to the event.

After the optional speeches, the Emcee Kwami Sefa Kayi kick started the event with awards pouring in for deserving musicians who were nominated in the various categories.

Self-acclaimed Ghanaian Dancehall King, Shatta Wale won two including Highlife song of the year (My Level) and Reggae Dancehall song of the year (Gringo).

His awards were picked by his sister in view of the fact he was not at the venue at the time of the announcement or whether it was by coincidence no one could really tell.

The troubling moment came after midnight when Broadcast Journalist, Aggrey Abeiku Santana was called to present the award of the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the Year which saw both Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy in pensive moods.

Soon after the name of Stonebwoy was mentioned as the winner, Shatta Wale readjusted his spectacles suggesting he was not too happy while Stonebwoy rose with his men and pointing all five fingers to the air wit he has consistently won that for the fifth time.

Stonebwoy climbed onto the podium and while he was about receiving the award, Shatta Wale and his militant group were scene throwing away chairs and racing to the arena. Manager of Stonebwoy tried stopping them but they forced their way compelling an armed policeman to fire warning shots into the air.



In the ensuing melee, Manager of Stonebwoy was seen exchanging blows with an unknown person while someone whispered something into the artiste’s ear and he dashed backstage and soon emerged with a pistol further heightening the already tensed environment.

Colleagues including Fancy Gadam rushed on him and pleaded he puts the gun away.

The confusion halted the whole process for more than 30 minutes but MyNewsGh.com has gathered that an official complaint has been lodged by Charter House and both musicians have been arrested and will be arraigned before court though they have not been officially charged.