Deputy Defence Minister Major (rtd) Derrick Oduro has blamed the choatic scenes recorded between supporters of Shatta Wale and Stonebowy at this year’s Vodafone Ghana Music Awards [VGMA] on the part of the organizers, Charterhouse Ghana.
He believes their failure to provide "maximum security" at the venue, led to the unfortunate incident over the weekend.
What Happened?
There was near pandemonium at the 20th edition of the VGMAs when the "Kpoo K3k3" and "My Name" hitmaker Stonebwoy, pulled out a gun on stage as controversial Charles Nii Armah, known in showbiz circles as Shatta Wale and some of his SM followers, tried mounting the stage during an award presentation to Stonebwoy.
The melee nearly marred an otherwise splendid ceremony which celebrated 20 years of Ghanaian music by the Events powerhouse, Charter House. It forced organizers to skip the presentation of two more other awards ‘Most Popular Song Of The Year’ and ‘Artist Of The Year’.
The confusion happened when Stonebwoy was announced as the Reggae Dancehall Artiste of the Year.
Shatta Wale and his fans approached the podium to, allegedly congratulate Stonebwoy, but events turned chaotic resulting in a lot of pushing and shoving – a situation that prompted Stonebwoy to brandish a handgun.
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In the ensuing ruckus, some members of the audience who were pepper-sprayed, stormed the exit.
Charterhouse then had to halt proceedings for nearly forty-five minutes for tempers to cool down. Feed to DStv which broadcast the awards to over forty countries, was also momentarily suspended.
Who's To Be Blamed?
Reached for his comments on the ugly episode witnessed at the country's biggest music awards night, especially in the wake of recent reports of possible terror threats, the Deputy Defence Minister pulled no punches in laying blame squarely at the doorstep of the event organisers.
“We have to blame Charterhouse for all these. They did not provide maximum security at such a big event,” Major (rtd) Oduro said in an interview with Kwasi Aboagye on NEAT FM’s morning show ‘Ghana Montie’.
Listen to interview…
CharterHouse Fires Back
One Nominee Did Not Adhere To Arrangement
In a related development, Peacefmonline.com is reliably informed that the event organisers have stoutly defended their security protocols for the night.
Chief Executive Officer of Charterhouse Ghana, Theresa Ayoade, traced the brawl somewhat to an “unfortunate breach” in the seating arrangement.
“All the nominees were supposed to sit at a designated area. But one of them failed to sit there and we couldn't control him,” she told Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Monday in an interview.
Source: King Edward Ambrose Washman Addo/Peacefmonline.com/ Twitter: @Washman5/ Instagram: Washman007
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Look at this one too Dep. defence min.***barred word*** like his boss.Can this one defend you?.
No, Mr Minister. The blame lies with Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy. For once, these two chaps who call themselves stars should be blamed. We should not spare them for their dangerous conduct which put public at risk. These guys must be prosecuted and if find culpable must go to jail for not less than 2 weeks plus community service such as sweeping Central Accra or Shopping Malls for 4 weeks. We are waiting to see what happens to them. I am fed up with these characters who go round as role models and commit ***barred word*** crimes.
What bafflles me is most Ghanaians are refusing to accept the fact that charter house is the cause of this riot. Apart from security, the whole show was fraud. It was schemed to pave way for stoneboy to win the ultimate awards. Highlife song of the year indeed. .
Disgraceful group of incompetent security ministers who blame everything happening on others but not themselves. Of course the organizers shall the blame, but what were those military men and policemen on duty doing? Knowing that the place was full of dignitaries and regular Ghanaians, why did they allow gun wielding individuals to enter the hall? Why did they allow Wale to step on stage when his name was not mentioned at the time. In any case did the organizers know so much about security matters? Instead of addressing you own military and police gaffe, as usual you want to scapegoating.