TF Hostel Was Approved for Karaoke Night, Not Artiste Night – UG Dean of Students on Shatta Wale Show Cancellation

The University of Ghana’s Dean of Students, Prof Rosina Kyerematen, has given an explanation regarding why Shatta Wale did not perform, as extensively reported.

Allegations of sabotage emerged from the Dancehall King’s camp after he was barred from performing at the University of Ghana.

Yet, during an interview with Radio Univers, Prof Rosina Kyerematen stated that the TF Hostel leadership did not formally request an Artiste Night from her office.

She mentioned that they informed her they were arranging a Karaoke night, which didn’t require extensive security measures.

Therefore, their last-minute request for an artiste night couldn’t be approved since the necessary security arrangements couldn’t be put in place in time.

However, the leadership of the Liman Hall made it clear in their communication that they desired an artiste night, and the necessary security arrangements were put in place to ensure a seamless event.

She dismissed claims that the University had an issue with Shatta Wale, thus refuting any suggestion that the decision to prevent him from performing was motivated by such concerns.

“There are claims that approval had been given for an artiste night at James Top Nelson Hall and that is not true. Normally what happens is that when an event is going to be organized by any hall a request for approval is sent to my office with an outline of the programme they intend to organize.

“What they said they were going to do was a karaoke night and so we gave approval for a karaoke night and as far as I am concerned there is a big difference between a Karaoke night and an artiste night. When you are having an artiste night it comes with a lot of implications. Security and all that and so we need to ensure that there is enough security that is why you need approval from University authorities before you can organize an artiste night. Mind you there is a ban in place for student gatherings and processions.

So you cannot just get and say you are bringing an artiste such as Shatta Wale to the University of Ghana campus without the necessary arrangements being made on the ground and also without approval. They did not have approval for an artiste night. Why will the University have problems with Shatta Wale? We have nothing to do with him so why will we have a problem with him,” she said.