Entertainment
Shatta Wale, manager accept out-of-court settlement of defamation case
Dancehall artist, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, also known as Shatta Wale, and his former manager, Lawrence Asiamah Mensah Hanson, have agreed to settle an ongoing defamation case out of court.
This was after counsel for Hanson, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the Accra High Court that the parties agreed an out of court settlement.
Hanson sued Shatta Wale for allegedly making defamatory publications against him and asked the Accra High Court to award cost in damages against the defendant.
In 2022, Shatta Wale allegedly published on social media that Hanson knew about the murder of the late George Fenec Okyere, a musician.
In the writ filed in 2022, the plaintiff stated that the publications by Shatta Wale were not only false, but they were actuated by malice to tarnish the hard won reputation of his client.
The court presided over by Justice Joseph Adu Agyemang Owusu, had already ordered the parties to file written submissions, but the lawyers could not do so because of the agreement to settle the case out of court.
“We wish to pray for one more adjournment to attempt settlement and depending on the outcome we may apply formally for extension of time to file our witness statement,” Dr Justice Srem-Sai told the court.
The case has been adjourned to April 18, 2023.
The plaintiff wanted a declaration of the court that the series of publications made by the defendant were defamatory to the plaintiff.
He asked the court to declare that the series of publications made by the defendant were also malicious.
The plaintiff urged the court for an order directed at the defendant to retract the publications from all on his social media accounts and render an unqualified apology for the defamatory words that the defendant has published about the plaintiff.
The plaintiff said such retraction and apology should be vetted and approved by the plaintiff ’s lawyers.
The biggest event on Ghana’s entertainment calendar is set for a night of honours, pomp, and pageantry.
It is a night where musicians who excelled during the year under review will be rewarded through the endorsement of the Telecel Ghana Music Awards Board, the Academy, and the general public.
The Grand Arena, the ideal venue for the 27th TGMA, will host a star-studded audience of musicians, media personalities, businessmen, politicians, actors, and footballers among others.
On this night, the most coveted prize is the Artiste of the Year (AOTY) category, which will see the crowning of a new king or queen of Ghana music.
Two heavyweights in the category, Stonebwoy and Sarkodie, have the opportunity to set an enviable record as the only artistes to win the coveted title for a third time.
Should they fall short, the opportunity shifts to Black Sherif and Diana Hamilton to equal the record of two wins, joining the elite ranks of past double-winners like VIP.
A win for Diana Hamilton, will set her up in a lonely journey at the top as the only gospel musician, to win the Artiste of the Year for the second time.
Alternatively, Wendy Shay could make her debut by winning the award for the first time. This would make her team up with Diana Hamilton as the only female artistes alive to hold the title. The late Ebony, won it posthumously in 2018.
If the title slips past them and falls to Medikal, he will also become a first-time winner, etching his name into the annals of Ghana music history.
Patrons can look forward to electrifying performances from a long list of confirmed artistes, including Black Sherif, Diana Hamilton, Piesie Esther, R2Bees, Medikal, Wendy Shay, Lasmid, Kofi Kinaata, Samini, and Fido, among others.
Beyond the ultimate prize, several other major categories are up for grabs, including Music Video of the Year, New Artiste of the Year, Gospel Artiste of the Year, Most Popular Song of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The fourth edition of International AmoFest lived up to its promise on Saturday, May 2, delivering a vibrant “three-in-one” experience that left the audience at Alliance Française in Accra buzzing.
The night was a masterful blend of sound and stagecraft. Berima Amo, the visionary behind the festival, led an impressive lineup of performers, including Pedro Kastelijns, Martha Apini, Rudy Ray, and Lamisi.
Together, they showcased a fusion of global music and authentic Ghanaian Highlife, staying true to the festival’s mission of preserving Ghana’s original rhythmic soul.
Adding a unique layer to the evening, Uncle Ebo Whyte’s Roverman Productions took to the stage, blending theater with the night’s musical energy.
The experience concluded with a high-energy after-party, fulfilling Berima Amo’s goal of creating a truly immersive and memorable night.
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Amo emphasised the need for intentionality in protecting Highlife.
He called on every Ghanaian, as well as government institutions, to actively foster an environment where the genre can thrive on the global stage.
The main event followed a successful educational outreach on April 24, where over 250 high school students participated in a Highlife workshop at the Centre for National Culture.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
