BY NADIA NTIAMOAH
Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has reignited questions over government payments to creative industry personalities after alleging that he is still owed approximately GH¢5 million for promotional work he undertook in support of the Black Stars’ 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign.
The musician said the outstanding amount relates to postings, advertisements and other promotional activities he carried out to help generate public support for Ghana’s participation in the global football tournament.
Speaking in an interview with GHOne TV, Shatta Wale claimed that although the promotional work had been completed, he had not received any payment for the services.
“With the World Cup that we did, you know we had to promote whatever… We were supposed to be paid. Up till now, I have not been paid. For the postings and ads, a lot. I think now they owe me about GH₵5 million,” he said.
Shatta Wale expressed frustration over what he described as repeated unsuccessful attempts to reach government officials concerning the alleged outstanding payment.
According to the artiste, his calls to the minister and the deputy minister of finance had not been answered.
“Oh, not a penny. You call the minister; he will not pick up. The deputy minister of finance will also not pick it. Disrespect, total disrespect in this country,” he said.
His comments have brought renewed attention to the financial arrangements surrounding the involvement of entertainers and other creative professionals in government-backed national campaigns.
Shatta Wale’s allegation, however, represents his account of the matter, and no response from the government or the officials he referenced was contained in the information available.
The claim comes against the background of Shatta Wale’s public involvement in efforts to support the campaign ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
During a fundraising initiative in March, Shatta Wale and his Hotwav team reportedly contributed US$100,000 towards the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign.
That contribution is separate from the GH¢5 million payment he now says the government owes him for promotional services.
The distinction is significant because the artiste’s reported financial contribution was presented as support for the national team, while the GH¢5 million he is demanding relates to promotional work he says he was contracted or expected to be paid for.
The dispute comes at a time when substantial public resources have been committed to Ghana’s participation in the tournament. In June 2026, the government announced the release of GH¢76 million to support the Black Stars’ World Cup campaign. The amount included GH¢58 million for preparations and group-stage expenses, as well as GH¢17 million intended to settle outstanding qualification bonuses.
Against that financial backdrop, Shatta Wale’s allegation that he has received “not a penny” for promotional activities has raised questions about how payments to individuals and service providers involved in national campaigns are handled.
