Following the arrest of Reggae/Dancehall Artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah known as Shatta Wale in showbiz after his purported gun attack which went viral on social media, the public have been questioning who qualifies to be called a celebrity. GBC News’ Nathaniel Nartey had a chat with an Entertainment Pundit, Arnold Asamoah Baidoo who in his view said Shatta Wale is a celebrity who has rights in that context to create publicity gimmick as an Artiste, but the musician went overboard this time around.
“Anyone who is celebrated can be classified as a celebrity, if you want to be technical it means someone who is popular or famous and well known and so Shata Wale fits into that category perfectly and he also has influence. There is no dispute about his celebrity status.
For those who dispute this, Mr Baidoo said it boils down to ignorance, Shata wale is a true celebrity. Probably they are mistaken celebrities to be role models and even so, Shata wale poses as a role model to many people.
On the alleged spread of false information regarding an attack on him which led to the arrest, Mr Asamoah Baidoo said
“His actions came as a surprise to me although I was not surprised about it. It is part of the industry. Artiste or entertainers pulling publicity stunts is a norm even in the corporate world however it depends on how you roll out that publicity stunt. It must not be offensive to the consumer and it must not be criminal and that’s where my disappointment comes in with the action”
He believes the action was a publicity stunt by Shata Wale to promote his upcoming album Gift of God (GOG).
Shatta still in custody
Meanwhile, the Director of Public Affairs of the Ghana Police Service, Superintendent, Alexander Obeng says Dancehall Artiste, Charles Nii Armah popularly known as ‘Shatta Wale’ is still in Police custody, while investigations have commenced into his alleged shooting. Giving an update on the arrest of the Artist on GBC’s Current Affairs Programme FOCUS, Superintendent Obeng said the other two suspects are also in Police custody for sharing false information. The Police have since cautioned the public to stop encouraging lawlessness and desist from sharing false information on social media without verification as it causes unnecessary fear and panic.
”He has been arrested, and investigations are ongoing, at the appropriate time we will give you any process that will follow. He came out himself and he is in Police custody. We have indicated that the two other suspects spread false information so they are also being held. We have to admonish people particularly the young ones in order not to abuse the opportunity they have to spread false information. You don’t go out there and lie that you are dead, meanwhile you are somewhere enjoying, we don’t do that, it’s against the Criminal Code of the country”, according to Superintendent, Alexander Obeng.
Public reaction to Shata Wale’s arrest.
The public has been reacting to the arrest of Dancehall Artiste, Charles Nii Armah Mensah, known in showbiz as Shatta Wale. GBC News’ Hanna Abugri asked some Ghanaians what they made of Shata Wale’s arrest.
“I think Shatta Wale’s case should be dealt with by the law,he created confusion all over the country.”
“I think the law should also deal with him because he has done too much and everytime he does it, the law doesn’t seem to cater for that and now it has become overboard.”
“Cause, there’s nothing necessary for him to do something like that, sometimes they do it as a gimmick to have some kind of hype but it is a negative one and the law should take its course.”
“I don’t think he should be prosecuted because everyone makes pranks.” ( views expressed by some Ghanaians, on the arrest of the Dance Hall Artist, Shata Wale).
