Some ministers steal but aren’t arrested, while ‘fraud boys’ are – Shatta Wale criticises selective justice recounting EOCO saga

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has criticised what he perceives as selective justice in Ghana, accusing authorities of targeting young people over fraud while ministers who allegedly steal public funds escape arrest.

Speaking during his ShattaFest 2026 show at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday, October 17, the musician questioned why young people were being arrested for fraud while public officials accused of financial wrongdoing were seemingly not facing similar consequences.

“Make I tell you, I get plenty fraud boys wey be my friends, but me, I no be snitch wey I go snitch anybody. The country no good, so if you go fraud, fraud. Ministers dey steal, they no dey catch them. Them dey steal our money, they no dey catch them, they dey catch young boys for Ghana,” he said.

The artiste’s comments centred on what he considers an imbalance in the enforcement of laws against financial crimes, particularly the treatment of young people suspected of engaging in fraudulent activities compared with public officials accused of corruption.

Shatta Wale also disclosed that he had several friends involved in fraud but insisted that he would not report them to the authorities.

“Make I tell you, I get plenty fraud boys wey be my friends, but me, I no be snitch wey I go snitch anybody,” he said.

He went on to cite the country’s economic difficulties as part of his argument, saying: “The country no good, so if you go fraud, fraud.”

The musician subsequently accused ministers of stealing public funds without being arrested, contrasting their perceived treatment with that of young people who are apprehended over fraud-related offences.

“Ministers dey steal, they no dey catch them. Them dey steal our money, they no dey catch them, they dey catch young boys for Ghana,” he added.