Entertainment
Shatta Wale expresses gratitude to EOCO for fair treatment after release
Dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale, has expressed gratitude to the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for what he describes as fair and respectful treatment during his arrest and detention.
In a TikTok live session on the evening of August 21, shortly after his release, Shatta Wale assured his fans that he was safe and back home.
“The king is safe, One Don is safe, and I’m home now. I just want to say a big thank you for supporting me and being around me in times like this because I needed you the most,” he said.
The musician thanked his fan base, close supporters, and the EOCO staff, stressing that officers at the anti-graft agency handled him with professionalism.
“You guys really took me through the rightful processes that were needed, and I just want to say God bless you all,” he added.
Shatta Wale extended appreciation to some EOCO officials, saying their understanding during the process meant a lot to him.
The artist was arrested by EOCO on August 20, 2025, in connection with a Lamborghini Urus allegedly tied to a $4 million U.S. fraud scheme involving Nana Kwabena Amuah, a Ghanaian man serving a seven-year sentence in America.
He was detained after failing to provide ownership documents for the luxury car. Investigators said the only available paperwork was a customs declaration in Amuah’s name.
On August 21, 2025, Shatta Wale met his bail conditions after the amount was reduced from GH¢10 million with two sureties to GH¢5 million.
His release came hours after hundreds of fans massed at EOCO’s headquarters in Accra to protest and demand his freedom.
By: Jacob Aggrey
The stage is set for one of the most exciting nights in Ghanaian entertainment abroad as the Ghana Music Awards-USA @ 7 gears up for a spectacular edition themed around the global passion of football—The FIFA World Cup.
Scheduled for August 8, 2028 the highly anticipated event will take place live at the prestigious Hyatt Regency Princeton. This year’s edition promises a unique fusion of music and sports, celebrating the unifying power of both industries.
With the official theme, “Celebrating Our Culture, Music and Our Stars,” organizers are aiming to deliver an unforgettable experience that blends the excitement of the World Cup with the vibrant sounds of Ghanaian music.
The event is expected to attract music lovers, industry players, and members of the Ghanaian diaspora from across the United States and beyond.
Now in its seventh edition, the Ghana Music Awards-USA continues to serve as a major platform for honouring Ghanaian artistes and creatives who are making an impact globally.
Over the years, the scheme has grown in prestige, spotlighting both rising talents and established stars while strengthening cultural ties within the diaspora.
This year’s show will feature electrifying live performances from top Ghanaian and international acts, delivering a rich mix of genres including highlife, hiplife, afrobeats, and gospel.
Attendees can also look forward to a glamorous red carpet, award presentations, and a lively atmosphere inspired by the spirit of the World Cup.
Tickets and Access
Tickets for the event are now available, with organizers encouraging early purchase due to high demand. Patrons can secure their seats via the official Eventbrite page:
https://gmausa26.eventbrite.com
THE Board of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMA) has introduced a new ‘Swing Period’ policy aimed at ensuring songs released late in the year are fairly assessed for nominations.
The policy, applied for the first time in the 27th edition of the awards, allows songs released in December to be considered in the following year’s awards cycle if they meet specific eligibility criteria.
A statement released by the TGMA Board said, “To qualify, a song must have been released in December of the eligibility year, shown measurable impact during the period under review and not received a nomination in the previous awards cycle.”
It added that the decision follows three years of consultations with industry stakeholders and seeks to address concerns that late-year releases often gain traction too slowly to compete in their release year.
Under the new framework, two December releases secured nominations in the 27th TGMA: ‘Messiah’ by Sarkodie featuring Kweku Flick and ‘Excellent’ by Kojo Blakk featuring Kelvyn Boy.
TGMA Board stressed that the policy was intended to ensure the scheme reflects industry trends as music release patterns shift with digital consumption and changing audience behaviour.
They added that the awards body would continue refining its processes to uphold credibility and recognise impactful work across Ghana’s music landscape. -GNA
