ShattaFest UK, popularly known as Ghana Party in the Park, was temporarily paused on Saturday following a major incident at the festival grounds at Copthall Playing Fields in London.
Organisers issued an urgent public safety notice on their official social media platforms, urging members of the public not to travel to the venue while emergency services responded to the situation.
“Due to a major incident at the festival site, the event has been temporarily paused. Please do not travel to or come to the festival site until further notice,” the organisers announced.
They further appealed to patrons to stay away from the area to allow emergency responders and relevant authorities to carry out their duties safely.
According to eyewitness accounts circulating on social media, police officers at the venue informed sections of the crowd that the event had been cancelled following severe overcrowding at one of the entrances. Several attendees also claimed a crowd crush occurred after large numbers of people attempted to gain access to the festival grounds, with some individuals reportedly collapsing during the incident.
Videos shared online showed large crowds gathered near the entrance while emergency personnel attended to those affected. However, organisers have not officially confirmed reports surrounding the exact cause of the incident, and emergency services had not released details regarding the number of injuries or any fatalities at the time of publication.
While many attendees believed the event had been cancelled, organisers maintained that the festival had only been temporarily paused, promising to provide further updates as more information became available.
Shatta Wale’s Management Responds
Following the incident, Shatta Wale’s management released an emotional statement expressing sympathy to everyone affected while emphasizing that the safety of fans remains their highest priority.
“It is with a very heavy heart that we address the unfortunate events surrounding ShattaFest UK,” the statement read.
The management explained that the difficult decision to halt the event was taken after reports of a serious incident outside the venue.
“Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of every single person who came to celebrate music, unity and love,” the statement continued.
The team also expressed sadness over reports of injuries and claims circulating on social media regarding possible fatalities. However, they stressed that they were awaiting official confirmation from the relevant authorities before making any definitive statements.
They appealed to the public, media organisations and fans to refrain from spreading unverified information while investigations continue.
According to the statement, Shatta Wale has always used his performances to unite people through music, making the events surrounding the festival particularly heartbreaking for both the artiste and his team.
Management also extended gratitude to the Metropolitan Police, emergency medical personnel, firefighters, security teams, venue staff and members of the public who responded swiftly to assist those affected.
They further assured fans that Shatta Wale and the entire Shatta Movement team would cooperate fully with authorities and event organisers as investigations into the incident continue.
One of the Biggest Ghanaian Festivals Abroad
ShattaFest UK, widely recognised as Ghana Party in the Park, is one of the largest Ghanaian music and cultural festivals held outside Ghana.
The annual event attracts thousands of members of the Ghanaian diaspora, music lovers and visitors from across Europe who gather to celebrate Ghanaian music, food, fashion and culture.
Over the years, the festival has hosted performances from some of Ghana’s biggest music stars, including Shatta Wale, Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, King Promise, KiDi and several other leading acts, making it one of the most anticipated events on the Ghanaian entertainment calendar.
This year’s edition had reportedly sold out ahead of the event, with thousands expected to attend.
As investigations continue, organisers say the safety and wellbeing of attendees remain their top priority and have encouraged the public to rely on official updates rather than speculation circulating on social media.
Authorities are expected to provide further information once investigations into the incident are completed.
