Dancehall artiste, Shatta Wale, says he sees no positive impact of the ‘Year of Return’ initiative on the lives of Ghanaians.
According to him, decisions about the initiative are taken indoors by a few people who fail to involve the citizens in the process.
He said on Hitz FM Friday that, there hardly is any indication that proves that Year of Return is taking place except for the influx of diasporans in the country.
“We don’t have fliers and flags [on the Year of Return] around town and yet this is where everyone wants to come to. There are no [Year of Return] billboards even at the airport,” he said.
The ‘Gringo’ hitmaker explained that Billboards planted at specific points like the airport could be used to tell snippets of history, current Ghanaian trends or foods and introduce prominent figures in the society to diasporans.
Using Andy Dosty as an example he explained that “you get to the airport, see a billboard of Andy Dosty with radio equipment in front of him.”
“If they ask who is that, you explain that he one of the greatest radio presenters and DJ in the country or a banner to promote the things of a Year of Return.”
Shatta Wale also faulted hotels and their employees whom he said are doing very little to keep people in the loop.
He explained that although there are people going in and out of hotels, employees hardly ask visitors how they are enjoying the Year of Return initiative, whether they have plans to attend any of the programs lined up and/or suggest one.
“It’s so sad and the people who come just enter the president’s office, do what they talk about [and] we don’t know.
“What is the citizens benefitting from it? They should involve the citizens because we are the people that make them go into power,” he said.
The ‘Baby’ singer said it is disheartening to see the Year of Return that can provide jobs to thousands of Ghanaians go unnoticed by the citizens.
Shatta Wale urged heads of state agencies to involve and educate the citizens about some of these initiatives they are planning to introduce because, “they work for us, not themselves.”