Ghanaian music sensation Wendy Shay has opened up about a troubling incident she faced early in her career, alleging that the former management of the late dancehall icon Ebony Reigns deliberately sabotaged her first-ever Shay Concert.

Speaking in a recent interview on Adom TV’s SHOWTYME, the artiste who recently parted ways with RuffTown Records disclosed that individuals linked to Ebony’s team were displeased with the rapid rise of her brand and took covert steps to derail the event at a critical stage of her development. Wendy Shay revealed that key logistical arrangements unexpectedly fell apart, and funds meant for production were mishandled, creating chaos and casting uncertainty over the entire concert.

She said the experience not only shook her confidence at the time but also exposed her to the harsh realities and politics within the Ghanaian music industry.

According to her, one of the major setbacks came from Ogee the MC, widely known for his association with the late Ebony. She revealed that Ogee, who had been entrusted with part of the event’s production and logistics funds, allegedly absconded with the money, leaving the team stranded just days before the concert.

“We had made payments for several important things, and he was the one handling most of the logistics. Before we knew it, he had disappeared… phone off, nowhere to be found. It was a big shock and a major blow to the whole production,” she recounted.

The singer noted that this incident forced her team to reorganise at the last minute, stretching their budget, causing delays in essential preparations. Despite the sabotage, Wendy Shay said she was determined not to disappoint her fans and went ahead with the concert, which still recorded a massive turnout.

Wendy Shay further emphasised that the event taught her valuable lessons about trust, industry politics, and the need for a more professional work environment within Ghana’s creative space.

She maintained that sharing this experience is not to stir controversy but to highlight the challenges female artists face behind the scenes.

Wendy Shay remains one of Ghana’s most consistent hitmakers, and her revelations have sparked fresh conversations about transparency, loyalty, and accountability within the music industry.

Renowned Ghanaian actor Kwadwo Nkansah, popularly known as Lil Win, has made history by becoming the Best African Actor Ghana/Nigeria at the prestigious 10th edition of the Sotigui Awards, held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Lil Win’s outstanding performance in the movie “Captain Ibrahim Traore” directed by Jackson K. Bentum has earned him this prestigious award. The movie, which tells the story of a legendary Burkinabe military leader, has been making waves in the film industry and has been widely praised for its historical accuracy and cinematic excellence.

The Sotigui Awards, which are an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the African film industry, brought together top actors, directors, and producers from across the continent to honour the best in the industry. The ceremony, which was held at the prestigious Hotel du Roi in Ouagadougou, was attended by top dignitaries and celebrities from across Africa.

Lil Win, who has become a household name in Ghana and Nigeria, was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude as he received the award. In his acceptance speech, he thanked the organisers of the Sotigui Awards, his director Jackson K. Bentum, and the entire cast and crew of “Captain Ibrahim Traore” for their hard work and dedication.

“I am humbled and honoured to receive this award,” Lil Win said. “I want to thank the organisers of the Sotigui Awards for recognising my work. I also want to thank my director, Jackson K. Bentum, and the entire cast and crew of ‘Captain Ibrahim Traore’ for their hard work and dedication. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”

The Sotigui Awards are an annual event that recognises and celebrates outstanding achievements in the African film industry. The awards ceremony is attended by top dignitaries and celebrities from across the continent and is considered one of the most prestigious events in the African film industry.

In related news, the movie “Captain Ibrahim Traore” has been selected to compete in several international film festivals, including the upcoming Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in Burkina Faso. The movie is expected to make a big impact at the festival, and it is expected to be a major contender for several awards.

Story By : Zolla Nie (CEO, Livenewsgh)

The government has taken a concrete step toward strengthening Ghana’s cultural and creative industries by introducing a Creative Arts Fund in the 2026 budget.

Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson told Parliament that the fund will receive GH¢20 million as initial capital. It is meant to support music, fashion, visual art, culinary arts and the many value chains that keep these sectors running.

“We will also establish the Creative Arts Fund for the arts, music, fashion, food and other creative sectors,” he said.

The fund is expected to address long standing challenges. Many creatives, including musicians, designers, chefs and visual artists, struggle with inconsistent funding and limited market structures. With public capital available, the fund can back small production grants, training programmes, technical support, market access projects and efforts to help creative businesses operate more professionally.

Dr Ato Forson presented the initiative as part of a broader strategy to turn culture into real economic growth and sustainable jobs, rather than a side activity.

Seed money from the fund could support early stage ideas that private investors often avoid. If it is channelled into production, distribution, export promotion and incubation hubs, it could help creatives build stronger business partnerships and open new tourism opportunities.

The success of the fund, however, will rely heavily on clear guidelines and solid governance. Previous promises to support the creative sector have sometimes slowed down due to weak oversight, short lived programmes or unclear evaluation systems.

Industry stakeholders are already expected to push for transparent criteria for disbursement, an independent board with creative sector expertise and monitoring tools that can track job creation and revenue generated by supported projects.

Other parts of the budget hint at a broader vision. The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts has been asked to upgrade cultural infrastructure and strengthen incentives for creatives. Connecting the fund to skills training, copyright protection and marketing support could increase its effectiveness.

A well balanced approach that includes grants, low interest loans and matched funding could also attract private investment and help creative businesses grow stronger.

For now, many creatives will watch closely. They will be looking for timely release of the seed money, a clear timeline for selecting projects and measures that ensure support reaches creators across all regions, not just a few major cities.

If the fund is managed well, it could open up new income streams, create professional jobs and help Ghana export more of its cultural products. If not, it risks becoming another budget promise that fails to reach the people it was meant to help.

The details will matter. The release of guidelines, appointment of the board and selection of the first group of beneficiaries will show whether this initiative becomes a real driver of Ghana’s creative economy or just another plan on paper.

For many creatives who have long waited for structured and predictable support, the 2026 Budget marks an important first step. The true impact will show when this commitment translates into actual studios, fashion lines, records, exhibitions and food ventures that reward the people behind them.