Ernest Adu Kumi has described the ShattaFest UK event as a loss for Ghana, according to a report by Modern Ghana. His comments follow a separate incident at the festival in Barnet, London, where three people were taken to hospital after a fire and crowd crush, as reported by the BBC and ITV News.
The festival, which took place in early August 2026, drew attention after the emergency response in Barnet. The Telegraph also covered the event, noting that festival-goers were injured in a crowd stampede. Modern Ghana’s report on Adu Kumi’s remarks did not provide further details on the specific reasons for his assessment, but the timing links his statement to the safety incident.
In a related development, Ebenezer Donkoh has called for a fact-based investigation into the ShattaFest UK incident, according to Modern Ghana. Donkoh’s request suggests that questions remain about what exactly happened and how it was handled. The BBC’s report confirmed that the fire and crush left three individuals hospitalised, though it did not specify the severity of their injuries.
The event, which was intended to showcase Ghanaian music and culture abroad, has now become the subject of scrutiny. Adu Kumi’s framing of it as a loss for Ghana points to broader concerns about the country’s international reputation, while Donkoh’s call for an investigation indicates a desire for clarity over the sequence of events in Barnet.
What to watch next: whether organisers or UK authorities release an official account of the incident, and if any further statements from Adu Kumi or Donkoh follow the investigation request.
