VGMA chaos: Prosecute Stonebwoy – Security analyst

Security analyst Adam Bonah is calling for the prosecution of multiple-award-winning Dancehall Artiste Stonebwoy for pulling out a gun following a melee at the 20th anniversary of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA).

Stonebwoy was seen on national TV pulling a gun on stage during the chaos and had to be restrained by his associates. The stage fracas led to a long hold up of the prestigious event as security struggled to restore order between the two camps.

The chaos broke out at the music fiesta after Shatta Wale stormed the stage while Stonebwoy was receiving his award for emerging the Reggae/Dancehall Artiste of the year for the fifth consecutive time.

Speaking on the development on GH Today with Serwa Amihere on Monday, Mr Bonah said “there must be punitive measures immediately.”

“People (Stonebwoy) should be punished for knowingly doing things that frown on…that could have been injurious to a lot of people,” he stated, adding “I believe that if he is prosecuted and even spends a day in prison I’m sure that others watching will realise pulling a gun or carrying a gun or a knife or disturbing the public peace during an event like this you are going to be punished.”

Meanwhile, Stonebwoy and Shatta Wale have been arrested by the Police over the gun incident Sunday dawn, Starrfm.com.gh learned.

The two are being detained by the Greater Accra Regional Police Command.

According to the police, they are assisting in investigations as moves are being made to get more people to aid in those investigations.

Ghana’s Tourism and Creative Arts Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi blamed her outfit and CharterHouse, organisers of the VGMA for the chaos that erupted at the event

She said the melee could have been prevented had her Ministry and organisers of the event took seriously security at the event.

“There was a little failure on our part as the Ministry and the organizers. Prior to the event, we noticed some banter between the fans of the musicians on social media. It would have been better if they engaged them,” Mrs Oteng Gyasi said on Morning Starr with Francis Abban on Monday.

She said “going forward, it is important measures are put in place to ensure the security of all audiences and participants.”

She said she was hurt and embarrassed by the chaos, urging fans from the camps of the two warring artistes to “cease-fire.”