Ghana: Shatta Wale detained for shooting prank

Ghanaian police had been searching for the musician since news of the supposed shooting went viral. His arrest was confirmed by the police, which issued a statement that says Shatta Wale would “assist in investigations for his alleged involvement in the creation and circulation of information intended to cause fear and panic.”

Section 208 of Ghana’s Criminal Code states that a “person who publishes or reproduces any statement, rumour or report which is likely to cause fear and alarm to the public or to disturb the public peace knowing or having reason to believe that the statement, rumour or report is false is guilty of a misdemeanour.”

The police statement also cautions the general public to “desist from publishing false information, capable of disturbing the peace of the country or risk being arrested and prosecuted.”

In a series of posts on social media before his arrest, the ‘Already’ singer revealed that the hoax formed part of his campaign to curb the disturbing trend of false prophesies in Ghana, which had caused him immense psychological trauma and threw him into a state of violence “since no one in this country cares”.

Shatta Wale bashed local police for doing little to stop the growing trend and made reference to previous predictions of his death by religious figures in the country.

“I won’t wait for Ghana Police to call my father and tell my father his son got shot this afternoon,” he said. “I won’t wait for Ghana’s stupid media houses to spread the news to my fans about me being shot because all we wish in this country is for dead people and funerals. If my life can be threatened and there is no law to take actions on that then I guess I will do what is right in the eyes of God.”

Shatta Wale has been the victim of frequent death prophecies. On 28 September, Stephen Akwasi Appiah claimed on Accra 100.5 FM that the musician would be gunned down on 18 October, in the same fashion as South African reggae legend Lucky Dube who was killed by armed robbers in Johannesburg in 2007. Appiah was also detained by the police for questioning on Tuesday. 

A popular and polarising entertainer, Shatta Wale’s career has been defined by many controversies, including previous run-ins with local police. While many industry watchers claim his antics are part of a grand scheme to remain in the public eye, other commentators have waved them off as part and parcel of dancehall culture. For others, Shatta Wale’s actions have made him the voice of the streets for his fearlessness of speaking truth to power and insistence on positive change in the music industry and society at large. 

Shatta Wale is due to release his new album Gift of God in the coming weeks. The project will be preceded by the GOG Chaff EP.