Renowned spiritual leader, Rev. Dr. Lawrence Tetteh, has revealed a touching moment between Dancehall artiste Shatta Wale and former President John Mahama, where Shatta Wale begged for forgiveness for previous disparaging remarks he made about the former president.
Dr. Tetteh recounted the moment when Wale, moved by guilt, approached him mid-flight on Saturday, April 27. Wale’s request was simple yet profound: to facilitate an apology to Mahama, who was also present on the flight. Dr. Tetteh obliged, leading Wale to the former President.
Upon meeting Mahama, Wale displayed a rare vulnerability, kneeling before the National Democratic Congress’s Presidential candidate, seeking forgiveness for comments made years prior.
“I was going to London on Saturday, coincidentally Prez. John Mahama was on the flight and Shatta Wale was also on the flight, the way we were sitting as if it was planned. Then Shatta Wale walks to me and said Nuumo I want you to do me a favour. I throw certain words at former President John Mahama and I feel very guilty to go to him. And I said, oh no, he is your father,” Dr. Tetteh shared.
“So I held his hands and I went to President John Mahama with him. I mean this is no secret. It was on the plane. Publicly. Shatta Wale went on his knees and started crying. I was so touched. Shatta Wale. And then I said this is the spirit that I want our people to do,” he continued.
Mahama responded with grace, forgiving the artist and lightening the mood with a jest, acknowledging Wale’s bold step in seeking reconciliation.
“We all know how wild Shatta Wale is supposed to be. But he humbled himself to say, ex-president, I am sorry I threw certain words at you the last time, can you forgive me? Then President John Mahama said I have forgiven you, then said, Shatta you are a bad boy, you brought a whole man of God to come and do this to me what do you expect me to say,” Dr. Tetteh recounted during a GTV interview on Thursday, May 2.
The aftermath of the apology saw Shatta expressing gratitude to Dr. Tetteh, revealing his four-year struggle to find the means to apologize to Mahama.
Dr. Tetteh praised Shatta’s actions, calling on the youth to emulate such respect for national leaders.
“This is the spirit that I expect us as a nation to do. In fact, Shatta Wale won my respect. This is the spirit I want us as young people to inculcate, whether it is John Mahama, or Nana Addo Dankwa or Kufuor, sorry I’ve not called them by titles, but all of them, his excellencies, respect them. Let’s put a value on our leaders, and if you make a mistake, go back and say sorry,” he added.