The #StopGalamseyNow campaign, which began on social media and culminated in a three-day demonstration, has attracted international attention and support from various sectors, particularly the creative arts.
However, some Ghanaian celebrities have remained silent on the matter. In light of this, many netizens are calling for a boycott of certain artistes who did not lend their voices in support of the cause.
Typical of those facing the backlash is Sarkodie, who has been immensely criticised for his habitual silence on protests against the NPP administration’s poor governance.
Many have viewed Sarkodie's silence as unfair, particularly given his earlier vocal criticisms of the former NDC administration's shortcomings.
As a result, some netizens are planning to boycott his shows and any future projects he may release.
One social media user expressed their frustration, stating, "First, it’s important to say that Sarkodie is a huge disgrace to society and a political tool used by the NPP. We need to see him as such and boycott his Rapperholic show. He turned his heart against the protest, so we have also turned ours against Rapperholic. Simple."
Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has also faced backlash and threats of boycott, but in his case, it stems from his comments downplaying the protest.
Shatta, in an earlier development, did not only criticise the effectiveness of the demonstration but also suggested that it was politically motivated.
This sparked outrage among many netizens, leading to intensified calls for a boycott against him.
"Until the youth of Ghana learn how to boycott people like Shatta Wale, they won't stop using us. Sarkodie made a whole song campaigning for Nana Akufo-Addo, but when things went wrong, he kept quiet as if he wasn't in the country. Look at Shatta Wale too," one user commented.
As it stands, upcoming shows, music releases, and other projects by these artistes are now under threat of boycott.
In the midst of this, others have argued that the idea of a boycott may be impossible to achieve.
They made reference to December 2023, where after numerous calls for the boycott of concerts following the #OccupyJulorbiHouse protests, many events still sold out.
See the posts below:
First, it’s important to say that @sarkodie is a huge disgrace to society and a political tool used by the npp. We need to see him as such and boycott his rapperholic show. He turned his heart against the protest so we also turn ours against rapperholic. Simple.#StopGalamseyNow https://t.co/iYl6PZ5Rdn
— #FreeTheCitizens (@ghanamunsemsem_) October 6, 2024
These idiots never cared about the welfare of the people but you will still get people getting money and going to their shows. https://t.co/enEefnuFv0
— 𝑶𝒑𝒆𝒍𝒆 𝑺𝒎𝒊𓋹𝒉 (@iamopele) October 4, 2024
Some of you who do you think you are? You want people to boycott Sarkodie’s concerts and music because he is not talking or speaking or posting about the various protests in Ghana?
— dNA (@1dNAGh) October 4, 2024
Cancel this madafakar! Boycott rapperholic this December! The fans are suffering, you are quiet but you want them to stream your songs..
— Eli Believer (@_elidagadu) October 6, 2024
Henceforth, you will always be remembered your choice to stay silent in this fight for clean drinking water @sarkodie
— Gaby (@bra_3li) October 6, 2024
You have chosen the side of this oppressing government for 8yrs!!!
We saw the part you played against the previous government and how vocal you were.
SHAME..!!
Of course his shows will be packed. Because unfortunately there are people like you who think this way. And who the hell will ask people to boycott Sarkodie because he said ‘Destroying our waterbodies is bad’. How does that thinking even make sense? https://t.co/t4wKTlHTBw
— rondo. (@Koffy_9) October 4, 2024
Cry bro! Nobody boycotting sh!t!
— Dr.UN 🇬🇭🇺🇸 (@KwesiVirgins) October 7, 2024
When Shatta Wale mounted campaign platforms did you boycott him?
When Nacee did campaign song did you boycott his program?
When Daddy Lumba did campaign songs for Nana Addo, did you boycott his programs?
Ebi Sarkodie top you guys get mouth.
😏😏
But when it was good for him he made songs to bash the government about how terrible things were. His silence now doesn’t raise any of your eyebrows? Sarkodie can slap some of you in the face and you’ll say ‘thank you sir’. https://t.co/6vKhBUvOI8
— rondo. (@Koffy_9) October 4, 2024
ID/EB
See videos from the 3-day #FreeTheCitizens #StopGalamseyNow protest below:
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