Deliberate downgrading of artistes’ achievements on international stage should be condemned – Dan Kwaku Yeboah

Ghanaian sports journalist and media personality Dan Kwaku Yeboah has condemned what he describes as the deliberate attempt by some individuals to downplay the achievements of Ghanaian artistes on international stages.

His comments come amid the ongoing social media debate surrounding Stonebwoy’s recent BHIM Festival performance at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on August 15, 2026.

Stonebwoy made history by becoming the first Ghanaian artiste to headline the iconic OVO Arena Wembley, a venue with a stated capacity of about 12,500. The official venue listing confirms the concert and describes it as Stonebwoy’s first headline performance at the arena.

However, discussions on social media following the concert have largely focused on the use of curtains to cover sections of the auditorium, with some critics claiming that the setup suggested the artiste had failed to fill the venue. The issue has since generated significant debate among music fans and industry stakeholders.

Taking his position on the controversy, Dan Kwaku Yeboah argued that healthy fan-based banter should not be a problem because competition and differing opinions can contribute positively to the growth and promotion of artistes.

According to him, if the exchanges are simply between fans supporting their respective artistes, then such banter can be considered part of the entertainment ecosystem.

He, however, expressed concern about situations where criticism is deliberately intended to undermine or reduce the significance of an artiste's achievement.

Dan Kwaku Yeboah stressed that Ghanaian artistes who achieve major milestones internationally should be celebrated, regardless of individual fan preferences or rivalries.

He maintained that there is a difference between constructive criticism and deliberately attempting to make an artiste's success appear insignificant.

“If the banter is just fan-based banter, then it is cool and good for the music and the projection of the artiste,” he argued, while cautioning against efforts deliberately aimed at bringing an artiste’s success down.

He believes such deliberate negativity not only affects the individual artiste but could also undermine the broader Ghanaian music industry, especially at a time when Ghanaian musicians are increasingly seeking recognition and opportunities on international platforms.