How Charterhouse condemned VGMA 2019 violence
Organisers of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), Charterhouse, have condemned the incident that marred the 20th edition of the event.
A statement released by the events company and signed by Head of Communications, George Quaye, apologised to viewers for what they said was a security breach at the event and said they took exception to the incident.
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Charterhouse also said they had reported the incident to the police and were cooperating with investigations into the matter.
The statement also said Charterhouse and the VGMA Board would apply the right sanctions for the incident.
It also said the outfit would in the coming week hold a press conference to address the incident and resolutions they had come to.
A brawl between the camps of Dancehall acts, Shatta Wale and Stonebwoy which led to a gun being pulled on stage nearly ruined the VGMA and led to the postponement of the announcement of the winners of the Artiste of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year categories.
Below is a copy of the full statement
19th May, 2019
Accra
CHARTERHOUSE CONDEMNS UNRULY BEHAVIOUR AT THE 2019 VODAFONE GHANA MUSIC AWARDS
The Management of Charterhouse Productions wishes to apologize unreservedly on its behalf and on behalf of the Board of the 2019 Vodafone Ghana Music Awards (VGMA), to the patrons and millions of viewers on television and social media in Ghana and all over the world for the security breach that marred the event in the wee hours of Sunday 19th May, 2019 at the premises of the Accra International Conference Centre (AICC).
We also would like to apologize to our main sponsor, Vodafone as well as other sponsors and partners, media partners Media General, YFM and Multichoice, and other international representatives from BET International, Afro Zons and MTV Base.
Our apologies also go to the Hon. Barbara Oteng Gyasi, Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. George Andah, Deputy Minister for Communications and other very important government officials present at the event.
We apologize to our international visitors, including CEO of Mobo Awards UK, Kanya King CBE representatives from Sony Music, Mr. Ben Oldfield from The Orchard, Phil Phillips, Alison Hinds and other representatives of the Barbados Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, who were present to experience the 20th Anniversary edition of the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards.
Being a special edition of the annual ceremony, months of planning had gone into giving the world a breath-taking event. Sadly, however, we were unable to give the full experience we had hoped to give as a result of this breach.
As a law abiding corporate citizen, Charterhouse has reported the incidence to the police and have been cooperating with the police to investigate and to ensure that the true facts of what happened would be known and addressed.
Measures will also be taken in consultation and partnership with Security agencies to ensure enhanced security subsequently.
We wish to note that the Vodafone Ghana Music Awards has terms and conditions that guide its conduct and artistes who enter their works for nominations are bound by the terms and conditions.
These terms and conditions, which come with punitive measures when flouted, have been designed to protect the scheme and ensure that it is neither impugned nor dragged into any sort of disrepute.
Charterhouse and the board have taken serious exception to the incident that happened at the 20th Vodafone Ghana Music Awards and thus would ensure that the needed sanctions are applied.
In the coming week, a press conference would be held to address the incidence at the event, including measures agreed to in consultation with the Board and other affiliates of the scheme.
We would like to reassure our patrons, partners and the entire music industry of our continuous support and investment in creating platforms for the industry to shine.
Our Music Lives…
GEORGE QUAYE
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS, CHARTERHOUSE PRODUCTIONS
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