Scores of fans present at the Global Citizen Festival at the Black Star Square on Saturday night reportedly chanted their displeasure with President Akufo-Addo when the latter began reading his speech.
Before that, some concertgoers had expressed their dissatisfaction when the President was introduced by applauding loudly and screaming “away, away.” Although the President, who effectively managed to complete his address while staying on course, the boos increased when he proclaimed, “The Whole World is in Ghana now.”
This incident, however, did not affect the program itself as music lovers and patrons of this year’s festival were left speechless as they were thrilled with performances from artistes drawn from across the globe.
Usher Raymond, an American musician, performed at the glamorous party to commemorate the Global Citizen Festival’s tenth anniversary.
He performed on the same stage as other notable performers who wowed the audience during the event, including Stormzy, Sarkodie, Stonebwoy, American singer-songwriter SZA, Gyakie, Tems, Tiwa Savage, Pheelz, Oxlade, Yaw Tog, and Kwesi Arthur.
No sooner had the President begun his 6-minute speech than the fans began to chant “away, away,” purportedly to register their displeasure with his administration.
On social media, the video reports of jeers were accompanied with commentaries, with some supporters of the president accusing political opponents of orchestrating the jeers, while others argued that the president’s heckling was a reflection of his “poor” governance.
The Global Citizen Festival is a celebration of music and social change that brings together artists, activists, world leaders, and global citizens to demand urgent change on the world’s biggest issues. The stage provides a platform for world leaders, business leaders, and philanthropists to make commitments in their mission to end extreme poverty and drive real, lasting change.
