The debate surrounding Shatta Wale and his absence from the Artiste of the Year category at the Telecel Ghana Music Awards(TGMA) continues to divide public opinion.
The controversy dates back to the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards 2019. During the announcement of Stonebwoy as Dancehall Artiste of the Year, tensions erupted on stage. In the chaos that followed, Shatta Wale pulled out a gun, leading to panic and the immediate suspension of the event. The incident resulted in both artistes being handed indefinite bans at the time.
Although the ban was lifted in 2021, their responses differed. Stonebwoy complied with the board’s requirements, apologized, and returned to the scheme. Since then, he has continued to receive nominations and awards. Shatta Wale, however, publicly declared that he would no longer participate in the awards, and he has not submitted his works for consideration in recent years, a key requirement for nomination.
This situation has sparked strong opinions among fans and industry watchers.
Many believe Shatta Wale deserves to be reintegrated fully into the scheme to make the competition more exciting and balanced. They argue that his influence, massive fan base, and impact on the music industry make him a key figure whose presence could restore intensity to the Artiste of the Year category. For them, awards should reflect the industry’s biggest forces, and his absence reduces the competitiveness of the race.
Others, however, maintain that the rules must be respected. They argue that participation requires artists to submit their works, and if an artiste chooses not to engage, the organizers cannot force inclusion. From this perspective, his absence is a personal decision rather than exclusion by the award board.
The debate has also raised broader questions about fairness, reconciliation, and the role of awards in uniting the music industry. Some fans believe that bringing Shatta Wale back into the fold would strengthen the scheme and increase public interest. Others insist that the integrity of the process should remain the priority.
Ultimately, public opinion remains divided. What is clear, however, is that Shatta Wale’s presence or absence continues to influence conversations around Ghana’s biggest music awards, proving his lasting impact on the industry.
