We have no problem with Shatta Wale - UG management on show cancellation

The University of Ghana has been at the center of a recent controversy involving popular dancehall artistes Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy.

Dean of students at the University of Ghana, Prof. Rosina Kyeremanten, has addressed these allegations.

According to Prof. Kyeremanten, the hall representatives, and the university have no issues with Shatta Wale. She said the cancellation of Shatta's scheduled performance at the TF Hostel was not influenced by anyone.

In an interview on the University of Ghana-based Radio Univers, she said that the executives of TF Hostels, in their proposal, had indicated that they were only going to do a Karaoke Night, not an Artiste Night, which required additional security measures due to the ban on student gatherings.

"The University has no issues with Shatta Wale. The University is not involved with Shatta Wale. Normally, what happens is that if any event is going to be organized in any hall, a request for approval is sent to my office (Dean's Office) with an outline of the program they intend to organize. What they (the organizers) said they were going to do on Saturday was Karaoke Night, and so we approved. As far as I am concerned, there is a big difference between a Karaoke Night and an Artiste Night.

"When you are having an Artiste Night, it comes with a lot of implications: security and others. So we need to ensure there is enough security, and that is why you need approval from the University Authority. Mind you, there is still a ban on student gatherings, so you cannot just get up and bring an artiste like Shatta Wale without the adequate and necessary arrangements being made," she said.

The Dean clarified that any event organized within the university halls must receive approval from her office, with a detailed outline of the program.

She added that Stonebwoy’s performance at Limann Hall was allowed to take place because the request for an Artiste Night, which included Stonebwoy in the lineup, was forwarded to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor for final approval by the executives of the Hilla Limann Hall.

“Limann Hall sent a letter requesting approval for their programs, including Artiste Night, and I forwarded it to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor because of the ban on public gatherings and the final approval comes from him. I was not aware of who was on the bill to perform until I later saw their flyers, and it was Stonebwoy, so I contacted the President (of the Hall) to assure me of the security. The letter was sent to the Legon Police District Command, and I also requested additional security," she said.

She emphasized the need for peace and security on campus and assured that the university is gradually opening up for alumni reunions and events, with the prospect of lifting the ban on gatherings in the future.

What happened

On June 8, 2024, a scheduled concert featuring dancehall artiste Shatta Wale at James Topp Nelson Yankah Hall (TF Hostel) was cancelled, leading to a social media uproar. Despite Shatta Wale's anticipation and promotion for his performance, the university's Dean of Students' office said it had not approved the event.

Shatta Wale, however, accused rival Stonebwoy of influencing the cancellation to prevent them from performing at the same venue. The event's organizers, Wave Africa, confirmed that they had been instructed not to allow Shatta Wale's performance by an order from above, despite having resolved earlier issues with the Dean's office.

Stonebwoy's event at Limann Hall, however, proceeded without issue, marking a successful night.

Watch the video here

Audio: The University has no issues with Shatta Wale — @UGDeanofStudent, Prof. Rosina Kyeremanten on some rumors that the TF Reunion Rave was cancelled due to his personality #UniversNews #UniversAt30 pic.twitter.com/D3rU2Vbgxb

— UniversAt30 (@univers1057fm) June 10, 2024

Audio: Excerpts of our interview with the Dean of the University of Ghana, Prof. Rosina Kyeremanten this morning on Campus Exclusive #CampEx

Saturday’s program approval was for Karaoke Night, not Artiste Night -@UGDeanofStudent #UniversNews #UniversAt30 pic.twitter.com/N7aVypJnXg

— UniversAt30 (@univers1057fm) June 10, 2024