Ghanaian Dancehall musician Shatta Wale has received a warning from the Ghana Society of the Physically Disabled (GSPD) regarding his alleged mockery of people with disabilities during a recent performance.
This caution is in response to Shatta Wale’s mockery of Stonebwoy during one of his live videos with the fans.
According to the GSPD, Shatta Wale is not only making fun of his colleague musician, Stonebwoy but also people with disabilities .
“You are a bad person that is why God made you a disabled person, you are a disabled person don’t try and fight an able person” Shatta Wale said.
The incident has spurred discussion about the value of inclusivity and respect for every person.
The GSPD in a press statement issued on April 15 in reaction to the incident, disclosed that making fun of people with disabilities is not only disrespectful but also against their rights. The GSPD demanded awareness-raising and instruction to uphold inclusivity and dignity for every person, irrespective of their capacity.
“The GSPD takes exception to this statement and ask Shatta Wale to retract the statement, remove such video from social media and apologize to all persons with disability and Ghanaian,” the statement said.
The law considers it unlawful to make fun of people with disabilities. As a result, the GSPD has asked the appropriate authorities to look into the incident and, if needed, take appropriate action. Such acts may have fines and even jail time as legal repercussions.
“Using a person’s disability to mock him or her or making derogatory remarks about a person’s disability is a punishable offence by law, refer to disability Act 715.”
“Disability indeed can be anyone’s lot at any given time” they stated.
Read full statement below;