Some showbiz personalities dominated headlines throughout the year, keeping people on the edge of their seats with their huge and intriguing scandals.
While others garnered attention for their remarkable achievements, these controversial celebrities found themselves in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons.
Here’s a look at some of the most controversial Ghanaian personalities of 2024:
1. Efia Odo
Socialite, musician, and podcast host Efia Odo consistently found herself in the news for controversial reasons this year.
Her first major controversy came during the 2024 Telecel Ghana Music Awards when she threw shade at Dancehall artiste Stonebwoy while supporting King Promise for the Artiste of the Year title. Her statements labeling Stonebwoy an “Old Man” sparked outrage, but she later apologised and was seen reconciling with him at an event in Kumasi.
Efia Odo‘s online feud with musician Sister Afia resurfaced in 2024, carrying over from previous years. Efia Odo hurled insults at Sister Afia, even body-shaming her, among other damning statements. This was after Sista Afia took to social media to throw subtle jabs at her.
In another controversy, her bold revelations about her past relationships on the Rants, Bants, and Confessions podcast led to an online feud with rapper Kwesi Arthur, who accused her of chasing clout.
Later in the year, Efia Odo also made a surprise political prediction, claiming Dr. Bawumia of the NPP would win the December elections, a statement that contradicted her previous criticism of the government. While her prediction did not come true, it added to the drama of her year.
2. Shatta Wale
Shatta Wale started 2024 with a series of public spats. Shatta engaged in a long-running feud with his former manager Bulldog, a situation that led to the latter sueing the former.
Another instance was when things escalated when he had a verbal altercation with Stonebwoy after the abrupt cancellation of a concert at the University of Ghana.
Shatta Wale accused Stonebwoy of being responsible for the cancellation, further souring their relationship.
Later in the year, Shatta Wale also made headlines when his mother’s accommodation issues became public, with the artiste and his team making efforts to resolve them.
Actor Prince David Osei, a staunch supporter of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has frequently made headlines for his bold and unapologetic backing of the party. He has been particularly vocal in criticising the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its flagbearer, John Mahama, often painting them in a negative light.
His most significant controversy occurred in December, after his party lost the elections. The actor took to Twitter, labelling the newly elected President, John Dramani Mahama, a “drunkard.”
While Osei quickly apologised for his statements, he later attempted to defend himself, claiming that his cousins were responsible for handling his phone during the incident.
4. Chef Smith
In early 2024, chef Ebenezer Smith, known as Chef Smith, set out to break the world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual. His attempt garnered media attention, especially after he completed a staggering 820 hours of cooking.
However, things took a turn when Chef Smith, in the latter part of the year, claimed to have received his official Guinness World Records plaque.
But investigations revealed that his claim was falsified, and the Guiness World Records publicly denied any knowledge of his feat. Chef Smith later admitted to fabricating the record for attention and rendered a national apology on live TV.
5. KOKA (Kwaku Osei Korankye Asiedu)
In July 2024, entertainment pundit KOKA found himself in deep trouble multiple times. He attracted severe backlash after criticising King Paluta’s singing voice in a viral video. KOKA’s aftermath attempts to explain himself only fuelled the fire, resulting in his expulsion from a radio station in Accra.
His troubles didn’t end there. In September, KOKA was arrested after gospel musician Ohemaa Mercy filed a police complaint over death threats from him due to a payment dispute. He was later released on bail and issued another public apology.
6. MC Yaa Yeboah
Media personality and entertainment pundit MC Yaa Yeboah was embroiled in controversy after being accused of having sexual relationships with colleagues and pundits on the popular show United Showbiz. She vehemently denied the accusations, but the rumours persisted.
Things took a further twist when a Canadian man claimed to have been in a relationship with MC Yaa Yeboah, alleging that he had invested in her business and family’s well-being. Despite initially denying any connection, Yeboah later admitted to having communicated with the man in question, contradicting her earlier claims.
7. Showboy
After his release from a U.S. prison in 2023, Showboy made headlines in 2024 for a series of controversial actions. First few weeks after he was spotted in Ghana, Showboy was fined by an Accra court for verbally assaulting a police officer.
The year also saw him engage in public beefs with popular artistes Black Sherif and King Paluta, followed by altercations with members of his former AMG label, including Medikal and Criss Waddle.
Showboy accused them of misrepresenting the history of the label, claiming he was the true founder and financier.
8. Empress Gifty
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Gospel musician Empress Gifty had a year full of jabs and controversial statements. In March, she caused an uproar when she stated in an interview that side chicks could continue their relationships with married men for financial support, citing that it was even condoned in the Bible. After public backlash, she claimed her words were taken out of context.
Later in the year, Empress Gifty found herself in a feud with actress and TV personality Nana Ama McBrown over the latter’s new cooking show on UTV, which launched shortly after McBrown’s departure from the channel.
In October, she made headlines again after giving what some perceived as subtle jabs at Serwaa Amihere during an interview. She also faced scrutiny over her collaboration with secular artiste Kuami Eugene, sparking debate on whether gospel musicians should collaborate with secular acts.
Empress Gifty’s final controversy came when she abruptly canceled a scheduled appearance on a show hosted by Nana Ama McBrown, leading to further tension.
She was also embroiled in a struggle over the ownership of the ‘Empress’ title, which both she and McBrown are known for. Empress Gifty insisted that she is the one and only true “Empress,” even claiming that she has gazetted the title.
However, the controversies were overshadowed by the tragic passing of her mother in December.
ID/EB
Meanwhie, watch some videos from Stonebwy’s BHUm Festival below:
