Renowned Ghanaian reggae dancehall artist Charles Nii Armah Mensah, commonly knownas Shatta Wale, has criticised Despite Media, owned by Osei Kwame Despite, and Hitz FM, a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group, for their role in fostering negative sentiments among some music fans towards him.
During an interview with Jay Forley and his team on 3Music, the outspoken artist expressed his dismay over the persistence of negative perceptions despite collaborations between Hitz FM, Peace FM, and UTV within the media landscape.
Shatta Wale highlighted the disparity between the overwhelming support he receives from fans at his shows and the negativity he encounters on social media platforms.
Despite his considerable fan base and emotional connection with supporters during performances, Shatta Wale lamented the discrepancy in treatment online, which he attributed to the influence of certain media outlets.
Shatta Wale’s comments come amidst a prolonged legal dispute with various media entities and fellow artists, with some asserting that his controversial behaviour contributed to his rise to fame.
Ghanaian reggae dancehall artist, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jnr known popularly as Shatta Wale has publicly accused Despite Media, owned by Osei Kwame Despite, and Hitz FM, a subsidiary of the Multimedia Group, of actively contributing to the negative sentiment from music fans towards him.
During an interview with Jay Forley and the 3 Music crew, Shatta Wale asserted that Despite Media, including entities like Peace FM and UTV, collaborated with Hitz FM to manipulate a segment of the Ghanaian population into perceiving him as a disrespectful and undesirable figure.
Expressing his astonishment, Shatta Wale highlighted the contrast between the overwhelming support he receives from live audiences at his shows and the negativity directed towards him on social media.
The artist conveyed his emotional connection with fans attending his performances but expressed confusion about the disparity in the online narrative.
Shatta Wale’s ongoing disputes with various media outlets and even fellow artists have fueled speculations that his controversial behavior played a role in his current level of success.
The artist continues to navigate a complex relationship with the media as he strives to address and rectify the perceived bias against him.
“I have people that love me for who I am and I appreciate it, sometimes when fans come to my show, I get emotional, I have a big problem with Despite media, Hitz FM for brainwashing my fans against me.”
Renowned Actress and Eentrepreneur, Nana Ama McBrown, quitted her job with the Despite media (UTV) to Media General (Onua TV) Iin recent times.
This decision she made has received both positive and negative feedback from the general public.
The Despite Media group’s former coworkers have generally been the only detractors.
Yet, she has also received a lot of encouragement from important figures in the entertainment industry as well as from her peers.
The media identifies some public figures who have backed her decision
A Plus
Commenting on the issue on Instagram, A Plus who is a regular guest on UTV’s United Showbiz, the show McBrown used to host on the Despite Media platform, said: “If UTV made her a great presenter, then we should be excited to be part of her success story. Do yours and wish others well.”
Reggie Rockstone
In an Instagram comment amid the brouhaha, Reggie acknowledged the criticism he received when he joined the music group VIP after Promzy’s exit but emphasized that everyone enjoyed the music they created together.
He also expressed his belief that change is good and that people should move on.
“Till this day, some folx still cuss me about joining VIP into VVIP, but all enjoyed the music we made lol smh! Humans can be sum way huh! Change is good, and we all move on! Bless us all, AMEN,” he shared.
Akrobeto comes to McBrown’s defense
Reacting to McBrown’s move, Akrobeto in a radio interview announced that there is nothing wrong with the actress’ move adding that the station does not own her.
“It is a business, we all moved from somewhere to our current job. We’ve seen couples divorce and remarry. People relocate to different countries, UTV hasn’t bought Nana Ama, they don’t own her.
“She came to work and has decided to move. Maybe she loved the offer she got and felt it was okay and so if she is leaving, there is nothing wrong,” he explained in Twi.
Akrobeto also debunked claims of Despite Media sacking McBrown as the host of United Showbiz. According to the actor, their employers had no option but to let her go when she confirmed her decision.
“Footballers in various clubs play for the money. The team doesn’t belong to anyone reason why we witness transfers. Nana hasn’t wronged anyone, and neither is UTV.
“She feels that the right decision has been made. It is simple as ABC, nobody sacked her, ignore such rumours…you can call Fada Dickson to confirm that she wasn’t sacked. The decision was taken by Nana,” Akrobeto disclosed.
Captain Smart
Whiles responding to a critique by Afia Schwarzenegger for his role in welcoming McBrown on her first day at Media General (March 13), Captain Smart explained that he had a long history with McBrown dating back to his days at Fox FM in Kumasi.
“What I don’t like is for people who don’t know the struggles a person has been through, feeling pained because of their progress.
“Look, out of spite, I will even go and get a tattoo of McBrown on my back,” he stated on the Onua Maakye programme of March 14. I will draw a photo of McBrown on my back,” he stressed.
McBrown joins Media General after Despite Media exit
On Monday, March 13, the popular actress and show host was unveiled as the latest member of Media General, confirming her move from Despite Media where she hosted United Showbiz for over 3 years.
The move has witnessed some staff of Despite Media describing McBrown as ungrateful with others claiming that her former employers groomed her in being a better television presenter.
Recalling her life struggles on 3FM with Johnnie Hughes, the award-winning media personality took credit for her growth in acting and every aspect of her life.
“It didn’t start today, I started this long ago. I knew and saw this picture long ago. I am not impressing anybody, I am working for myself…it is part of the job when people come after me. How about the blessings? It is the same way when the ambassadorial deals are coming.
“Whoever is saying what about me, I leave that person to God because I know myself and I know I have worked my way through here. I didn’t come here just for the sake of my beauty or maybe my smile. I have worked to make my smile impactful. I am here because I have worked, oh Jonnie I have worked!” she hammered with pride.
Nana Ama McBrown, an actress and entrepreneur’s decision of resigning from UTV to Onua TV, has elicited a variety of responses from the public, including both criticism and good wishes.
The Despite Media group’s former coworkers have been the majority of the criticism.
Yet, she has also received a good dose to support from colleagues and major actors in the entertainment ecosystem.
A Plus
Commenting on the issue on Instagram, A Plus who is a regular guest on UTV’s United Showbiz, the show McBrown used to host on the Despite Mediaplatform, said: “If UTV made her a great presenter, then we should be excited to be part of her success story. Do yours and wish others well.”
Reggie Rockstone
In an Instagram comment amid the brouhaha, Reggie acknowledged the criticism he received when he joined the music group VIP after Promzy’s exit but emphasized that everyone enjoyed the music they created together.
He also expressed his belief that change is good and that people should move on.
“Till this day, some folx still cuss me about joining VIP into VVIP, but all enjoyed the music we made lol smh! Humans can be sum way huh! Change is good, and we all move on! Bless us all, AMEN,” he shared.
Akrobeto comes to McBrown’s defense
Reacting to McBrown’s move, Akrobeto in a radio interview announced that there is nothing wrong with the actress’ move adding that the station does not own her.
“It is a business, we all moved from somewhere to our current job. We’ve seen couples divorce and remarry. People relocate to different countries, UTV hasn’t bought Nana Ama, they don’t own her.
“She came to work and has decided to move. Maybe she loved the offer she got and felt it was okay and so if she is leaving, there is nothing wrong,” he explained in Twi.
Akrobeto also debunked claims of Despite Media sacking McBrown as the host of United Showbiz. According to the actor, their employers had no option but to let her go when she confirmed her decision.
“Footballers in various clubs play for the money. The team doesn’t belong to anyone reason why we witness transfers. Nana hasn’t wronged anyone, and neither is UTV.
“She feels that the right decision has been made. It is simple as ABC, nobody sacked her, ignore such rumours…you can call Fada Dickson to confirm that she wasn’t sacked. The decision was taken by Nana,” Akrobeto disclosed.
Captain Smart
Whiles responding to a critique by Afia Schwarzenegger for his role in welcoming McBrown on her first day at Media General (March 13), Captain Smart explained that he had a long history with McBrown dating back to his days at Fox FM in Kumasi.
“What I don’t like is for people who don’t know the struggles a person has been through, feeling pained because of their progress.
“Look, out of spite, I will even go and get a tattoo of McBrown on my back,” he stated on the Onua Maakye programme of March 14. I will draw a photo of McBrown on my back,” he stressed.
McBrown joins Media General after Despite Media exit
On Monday, March 13, the popular actress and show host was unveiled as the latest member of Media General, confirming her move from Despite Media where she hosted United Showbiz for over 3 years.
The move has witnessed some staff of Despite Media describing McBrown as ungrateful with others claiming that her former employers groomed her in being a better television presenter.
Recalling her life struggles on 3FM with Johnnie Hughes, the award-winning media personality took credit for her growth in acting and every aspect of her life.
“It didn’t start today, I started this long ago. I knew and saw this picture long ago. I am not impressing anybody, I am working for myself…it is part of the job when people come after me. How about the blessings? It is the same way when the ambassadorial deals are coming.
“Whoever is saying what about me, I leave that person to God because I know myself and I know I have worked my way through here. I didn’t come here just for the sake of my beauty or maybe my smile. I have worked to make my smile impactful. I am here because I have worked, oh Jonnie I have worked!” she hammered with pride.
When there seems to be no hope at the beginning of her acting career, Nana Ama McBrown kept her faith and hope high and longed for a day like this when the world will bear witness to her exceptional talent.
Now an accomplished firebrand in Ghana, McBrown, takes credit for success and not giving up on her dream but working day and night. For this reason, she pays no heed to critics and accusers who attempt to ridicule or look down on her.
On Monday, March 13, the popular actress and show host was unveiled as the latest member of Media General, confirming her move from Despite Media where she hosted United Showbiz for over 3 years.
The move has witnessed some staff of Despite Media describingMcBrown as ungrateful with others claiming that her former employers groomed her in being a better television presenter.
Recalling her life struggles on 3FM with Johnnie Hughes, the award-winning media personality took credit for her growth in acting and every aspect of her life.
“It didn’t start today, I started this long ago. I knew and saw this picture long ago. I am not impressing anybody, I am working for myself…it is part of the job when people come after me. How about the blessings? It is the same way when the ambassadorial deals are coming.
“Whoever is saying what about me, I leave that person to God because I know myself and I know I have worked my way through here. I didn’t come here just for the sake of my beauty or maybe my smile. I have worked to make my smile impactful. I am here because I have worked, oh Jonnie I have worked!” she hammered with pride.
The departure of actress Nana Ama McBrown from the Despite Media Group to work for another media organization has angered some employees of the Despite brand.
Nana Ama McBrown, who hosted United Showbiz on UTV, has left to join the Media General Group, owners of TV3, Onua TV, and others.
On Monday, March 13, 2023, at the Media General’s premises in Kanda, Accra, the well-known television personality was formally unveiled.
She joins the Onua brand.
Following the development, some presenters of Okay FM, Kwame Nkrumah Tikesie and Ohene Nana Kwame Amo, while on the “Ade Akye Abia” morning show, blasted McBrown for leaving the Despite brand.
In addition to that, Ola Michael, a presenter at Neat FM also fired McBrown for leaving UTV to a different station.
For these people, Nana Ama McBrown has been unthankful to the company and its Managing Director, Fadda Dickson, who provided her the opportunity by teaching her the ability to host shows.
But, in response to the criticism, Afia Pokuaa, nicknamed Vim Lady, a staff of the Despite Media Group, has noted that the criticism made against Nana Ama McBrown by her coworkers are improper.
She said in a Facebook post that the action was not cool and that it would reflect poorly on the Despite Media.
She asserted that the owners of the Despite Media Group do not object to McBrown quitting the company and that she [Vim Lady] is consequently baffled as to why some of her coworkers are criticizing McBrown.
Vim Lady pointed out that the critics were only acting in this way just to attract favour from their bosses.
“The owners of Despite Media are okay with McBrown but the disciples are always shouting to gain favor from the bosses,” she fired.
She took advantage to caution McBrown to be careful as according to her, there are “bad colleagues” and an “imperfect system”. She advised her to refrain from conducting interviews about her former employers.
Vim Lady also told her to enjoy her new position while remaining attentive and alert.
Seasoned News Caster, Mr. Daniel Agyei Peprah, popularly known as Nana Agyei Sikapa of Peace Fm has unfortunately kicked the bucket.
He died after a short illness at the Ridge hospital.
The seasoned newscaster joined the Despite Media from the Garden city radio in Kumasi in 2003.
Aside his news-casting role, Nana Agyei hosted varieties of radio programmes like wubu b3 a me nso me teb3, wugyidie ne s3n on Peace 104.3 Fm every Sundays, exactly 8 pm.
Until unfortunate his demise, the proverbial gem also hosted a cultural program called “Tete” where he sought to educate the public about the rich Ghanaian culture which appeared lost in the wake of social media.
Nana Agyei was also into both TV and Radio commercials. In fact, he was the first broadcaster who prepares dirges in the form of an announcement.
Biography
Born at Atwima Nerebehi in Ahafo Domeabra, some 55 years ago, Sikapa attended Nerebehi R/C and progressed to Nyinahin L/A Primary. After his elementary school, he went to Nyinahin L/A Middle, which he successfully passed the Middle School Leavers Certificate Extermination and got admission to the Atebubu Training College in 1987-1991 where he completed a four year certificate programme in Education.
As a professional teacher, he taught both in Atwima Agogo and Abuakwa R/C Primary School for several years.
However, due to his rich cultural exploits and love for poems, he started with YENA Krokron through which he had an invitation to be on Garden City Radio in Kumasi as a guest, where he got privileged to host varieties of shows with the biggest at the time, being the morning show host which he excelled to the toast of his listeners.
From there, one could say the heavens poured on him divine favours.
In 2003, the famous and affluent Dr. Osei Kwame Despite invited Nana Agyei Sikapa to work with his numerous skilled and talented newscasters. He really established himself by his famous appellation style of radio presentation which was unique.
May the gentle soul of our beloved colleague and brother rest in perfect peace.
