Meek Mill criticised for filming at Presidential Palace in Ghana

The video received online criticism from West Africans, activists, and government officials who termed it as ‘disrespectful’ and posed a potential security risk.

Member of Parliament and former deputy education minister Sam Ablakwa took to Twitter, “How do those explicit lyrics from the president’s lectern project Ghana positively? Is Ghana’s seat of government no longer a high security installation?”

Ghanaian critics, led by renowned activist Julius Kwame, blamed the president’s administration on being lenient to foreigners. Since the incident, the president’s office has not released a statement concerning the situation.

Mill later pulled down the video and issued a Twitter apology to Ghanaians together with the government.

To the people of Ghana no video I drop is ever meant to disrespect the people of Ghana …. The fastest way to make connection is thru music and I wanted to do that with displaying art … im in my 30’s from America and didn’t know much about the lifestyle here

— MeekMill (@MeekMill) January 9, 2023

A number of Ghanaian youths directed their anger online to the government concerning the rise in unemployment rate and harsh economic times suppressing their livelihood.

Young people make up more than 50% of the country’s population. Despite the government’s efforts to empower Gen Z with access to capital, training, technical skills, and mentorship to enable self-employment and independence, most continue to struggle and look for easier alternative means to survive.

International influencers such as Mill tend to resonate with young people who hope their dreams of success can come true.

During his visit, Meek took his love for bike riding to the streets of Ghana to showcase the beauty of the country to the rest of the world. In his apology, he said, “In America we didn’t know this existed. They don’t show Ghana in our media much! So I’ll take responsibility for my mistake! Not intentional.”

The artist is expected to release his new music later this month.