Omanghana
Ghanaian dancehall musician Shatta Wale has defended the decision by British authorities to shut down ShattaFest UK 2026, saying the intervention may have prevented a deadly crowd disaster.
The festival, which was combined with the annual Ghana Party in the Park event, was scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Copthall Playing Fields in North London.
The Metropolitan Police cancelled the program after a crowd surge developed near the entrance, reportedly leaving several attendees injured and requiring emergency medical assistance.
Speaking during a TikTok Live session after the incident, Shatta Wale commended the police, paramedics and local authorities for prioritizing public safety.
“I thank the UK police and the paramedics team and everybody, the council, everybody that really stopped the show,” he said.
The musician questioned why anyone would want the event to continue when the conditions could have resulted in the loss of lives.
“Why you no dey make the narrations right? For people to come and lose their lives because of what you want to gain?” he asked.
Shatta Wale argued that public safety must always take precedence over ticket revenue and other financial considerations.
“You didn’t think about the safety of the people—you only thought about your pocket,” he said. “Nothing is more important than safety.”
The artist directed much of his criticism at the event’s organizers, Akwaaba UK, accusing them of failing to adequately plan for the number of people who attempted to enter the venue.
He claimed that combining the established Ghana Party in the Park event with the ShattaFest brand created demand that exceeded what the venue and entrance arrangements could safely accommodate.
According to Shatta Wale, he had expressed concerns to members of his team before arriving at the festival because of what he considered inadequate logistical preparations.
“I told my team, including my wives, that with the way the organizers had planned the event, police would come around,” he said.
The musician also raised concerns about the placement of food vendors and cooking equipment close to crowded access routes.
He questioned why vendors were allegedly permitted to use gas cookers near areas through which large numbers of attendees were attempting to enter.
“Tell them say my show some people come dey fry kelewele and papao. How you go fit bring gas cooker come there, bro? Gas cooker?” he said.
Shatta Wale further accused the promoters of failing to make adequate visa and travel arrangements for members of his technical team.
“It was my part to move myself here, and I came with my wife. It was your part to also get my team here,” he stated.
Eyewitness videos showed a significant emergency response at the venue, with police officers, ambulances and medical personnel attending to the situation. Some attendees who reportedly fainted during the congestion were carried away on stretchers.
Akwaaba UK has denied social media claims that people were stabbed or killed during the disturbance, stating that no fatalities were recorded.
Questions remain over ticket refunds for thousands of patrons who travelled to the venue but were unable to attend the cancelled show. Affected ticketholders have been advised to seek official information from the organizers and authorized ticketing providers about the refund process.
Source: Omanghana
