Awal Mohammed, a member of the New Patriotic Party’s Communications Team, has issued a public apology to supporters of dancehall artiste Shatta Wale after comments he made on television sparked outrage among fans.
The controversy followed an appearance by Mohammed on JoyNews on January 20, 2026, where he was contributing to a discussion on what he described as the government’s “stringent” bail conditions. In the course of the debate, he used the word “junkies” in reference to some Shatta Wale fans who had gathered at the Economic and Organised Crime Office during the artiste’s detention, a remark that quickly drew sharp criticism online.
A day later, Mohammed sought to address the backlash through a Facebook post, insisting the comment was not deliberate and did not reflect his personal values.
“I appeared on JoyNews yesterday for the morning show. During the debate, while condemning the government’s stringent bail conditions, I inadvertently referred to a section of Shatta Wale supporters as ‘junkies.’
“I want to clarify that I didn’t intend to insult or belittle anyone. The term was unnecessary, and I’m truly sorry for any offence caused. I respect the passion of fans and acknowledge that my choice of words was wrong. It was totally out of sync with my character. I sincerely apologise and hope we can move forward positively,” he wrote.
While the apology appeared to calm some reactions, Shatta Wale also weighed in separately, using the moment to speak out against what he described as a persistent lack of respect for his brand and the community that supports him.
According to the musician, his work and influence extend far beyond entertainment, pointing to youth empowerment, job creation, and his efforts to project Ghana on the global stage. He further called on media practitioners and public figures to abandon selective criticism and engage all voices with equal fairness.
“For years, I have served as a voice for the youth. My influence goes beyond music to job creation, inspiration, and representing Ghana globally. This deserves respect,” Shatta Wale said.
“Enough. This is bigger than music. This is about respect, fairness, and national maturity. If we truly want to move forward as a country, then the selective criticism, coded insults, and subtle disrespect towards certain voices must end, from media houses to boardrooms, from talk shows to political spaces,” he further stated.
