Over the years, Kwaw Kese has been known to thrill and entertain his fans with creative stagecraft and fun performances. Last Saturday’s Joy FM Nite with the Stars was no exception. Kwaw came on stage with a bevy of ladies whose ‘attire’ spelt MAD TIME – the entertainment label managed by Kwaw Kese.

In the spirit of creative ‘competition’ of the show which was dubbed ‘Accra vs. Tema’ and which pitted Kwaw Kese against VIP, Kwaw also brought on stage a banner with VIP written on it. Kwaw stood on this banner to depict that in Ghana’s entertainment industry, he was a true VIP too.

For some unfortunate reason, VIP took this creative expression out of context and resorted to violence, with members of their entourage violently demanding that Kwaw go on stage to apologize for his act. In order not to interrupt the event and also to ensure that sanity prevailed, Kwaw and his entourage left the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre Dome.

The acts of violence did not stop, however. Other musicians and fellow stars were also attacked at the Dome. The popular MC Commotion suffered violence just because he was a hype man for Kwaw Kese and in the process lost his phone and money. Other personalities can testify to slaps and other unruly acts committed against them.

In this atmosphere of intimidation and violent expression, Sarkodie and R2Bees who tried to act as peacemakers suffered unnecessary threats of violence. We, at MAD TIME, appreciate their solidarity and call on Ghanaians not to bash them for not performing because no one will feel safe in a tense, violent and irrational atmosphere.

We at MAD TIME are calling on VIP to condemn these acts perpetrated by thugs affiliated to them. We are calling on VIP to affirm their belief in creative competition without the need to resort to barbaric violence. While VIP might feel safe in NIMA, Kwaw Kese and other entertainers also have fans from Nima to Ashaiman to Swedru and many other parts of Ghana who may want to attack VIP in retaliation.

Violence begets violence and retaliation and in the run-up to our national elections, we urge musicians and every other sector of society to denounce and eschew violence and rather seek peaceful dialogue to resolve any differences they might have.

We urge Ghanaians who were not in the shoes of Sarkodie and R2Bees shoes not to insult or denigrate them for their refusal to perform in midst of intimidation.

We also urge event organizers to ensure adequate security at all events to ensure that no unruly thug can threaten the life of a musician just for his or her creative expression.

We must learn to appreciate showbiz and entertainment as an area that has no space for violence in this day and age.

Signed:

Fennec Okyere Mad Time Entertainment and Manager of Kwaw Kese.