Ghanaian dancehall artiste Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has called for greater unity among the Ga-Dangme people to protect their traditional lands, institutions and heritage.
Speaking at the launch of the RNAQ Ga-Dangme Youth Scholarship Fund in Accra, Shatta Wale said he was prepared to publicly defend the authority of the Ga Mantse and other Ga-Dangme traditional rulers against what he described as disrespect and interference from politicians and outsiders.
“I am ready to defend the Ga Mantse everywhere because enough is enough of the disrespect from strangers,” he said.
The artiste urged Ga-Dangme communities to take a stronger position on matters concerning their lands, arguing that political interests should not be allowed to determine the future of traditional communities.
“We need to stand up and prevent politicians from taking over our lands in Ga-Dangme,” Shatta Wale said.
The event was attended by several traditional leaders, including the Ga Mantse, Nii Teiko Tsuru II, and the Nungua Mantse, Oboade Notse King Professor Odaifio Welentsi III, as well as other traditional authorities, youth and development stakeholders.
Shatta Wale said he was using the occasion to publicly pledge his support for efforts to protect Ga-Dangme interests.
“I am bowing today in front of Nii Ga, Nii Nungua and all the other Ga-Dangme rulers that I am ready to start liberating the Ga-Dangme land and stop strangers from bullying us,” he said.
He also expressed concern about the demolition of properties and what he described as unnecessary investigations affecting people within Ga-Dangme communities.
“Politicians and strangers should stop demolishing our properties and the unnecessary investigations. This is our land; allow us to feel at home,” he said.
The artiste further called on Ga-Dangme youth to take an active interest in issues affecting their communities and work alongside traditional authorities to protect their heritage.
The launch of the RNAQ Ga-Dangme Youth Scholarship Fund was primarily focused on education and youth development, with the initiative aimed at supporting brilliant but needy students from Ga-Dangme communities.
The fund, launched by the businessman Richard Nii Armah Quaye’s RNAQ Foundation in partnership with the Ga Mantse Foundation is aimed at expanding educational opportunities for young people in the Ga-Dangme area.
Shatta Wale said protecting Ga-Dangme interests should not be left solely to traditional leaders, stressing the need for collective responsibility among the youth and other members of the community.
He urged the community to combine the protection of its cultural heritage with efforts to promote education and create economic opportunities for the next generation.