Ghanaian dancehall artiste Stonebwoy did not perform at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) victory concert held on January 5, 2025, at the forecourt of the Legon Stadium in Accra. Although promotional materials initially listed him as part of the lineup, organizers later issued a statement announcing his exclusion.
“The organizers of the Ghana Victory Concert, responding to public sentiment and concerns from the party’s grassroots regarding Stonebwoy’s inclusion, decided to remove the artiste from the concert lineup,” the statement read.
“We sincerely apologize to all members of the National Democratic Congress, especially the grassroots, for what may have appeared to be a lack of discretion on our part. We also extend our apologies to Stonebwoy and his team for this unfortunate development,” the organizers added.
This turn of events raises significant questions regarding a potential breach of contract and whether Stonebwoy may have legal grounds for action.
Has There Been a Breach of Contract?
A breach of contract occurs when one party fails to perform or perform but does it defectively to meet their obligations under the contract without lawful justification.
Anticipatory breach occurs when one party indicates either by spoken words, written, or conduct that, they will not fulfill their obligations before the due date.
In this case, if there was a formal agreement between Stonebwoy and the event organizers stipulating his participation, his removal from the lineup could constitute a breach of contract.
Legal Remedies Available to Stonebwoy
If a breach is established, Stonebwoy could seek legal remedies, which may include
Financial damages to compensate him for losses incurred for his preparation among other things.
Constitutional Considerations
The situation also focuses on Article 17(1)-(3) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, which guarantees equality before the law and prohibits discrimination based on political opinions, among other grounds. Constitutional concerns could arise if Stonebwoy’s exclusion was influenced by political bias.
Ultimately, Stonebwoy has valid legal grounds to challenge his removal and sue for damages and the courts are likely to entertain such an action.
By: Edwin Kobina Coleman
