Accra: Veteran Ghanaian filmmaker and cultural figure Socrate Safo has made a public appeal to dancehall star Shatta Wale concerning his habit of throwing cash in public spaces.
According to Ghana Web, Safo highlighted the deep emotional connection between Shatta Wale and his fanbase, known for their loyalty and visible support at concerts and public appearances. He noted that the artiste often expresses gratitude through gestures that go beyond performance, including sharing a portion of show earnings with supporters. However, Safo pointed out that the uncoordinated distribution of money, especially throwing cash from moving vehicles into crowded streets, has resulted in disorderly scenes and safety risks.
Safo described how some fans secure a generous share of the cash while others leave with bruises or torn clothing due to chaotic scrambles that often occur in the middle of active roads. He emphasized the dangers involved, with unsuspecting motorists having little warning of the sudden surge of people onto the streets, creating a hazardous situation.
Rather than spontaneous cash drops, Safo proposed structured, long-term initiatives that could deliver a more substantial impact, such as an annual apprenticeship programme funded by the artiste. Safo suggested that such a program could fund two hundred dedicated fans each year to learn trades of their choice, providing sustainable livelihoods and positively transforming society.
Safo framed his appeal as counsel 'born out of admiration,' urging that generosity guided by foresight can become a lasting legacy, contrasting that with money that 'scatters in the wind.'