Anticipation was at an all-time high as students at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT) eagerly awaited the Artiste Night during the 18th SRC Week celebration. The event was heavily promoted, and students and patrons were ready for an unforgettable night of music and entertainment.
The Artiste Night at universities across Ghana is often the highlight of SRC Week, featuring performances from some of the biggest names in the music industry. Adequate planning and execution are crucial to the success of these events. This year, the SRC of UMaT ensured that two of Ghana’s hottest acts, Black Sherif and Olive The Boy, were scheduled to perform. Expectations were high as the students prepared for what was supposed to be the best night of the week.
Unfortunately, things did not go as planned. Several issues marred the event, from technical problems to poor event management. The most significant problem was the unstable lighting throughout the night, which posed safety concerns for both the performers and the audience.
Black Sherif, the headlining artist of the night, was highly anticipated by the crowd. Many fans attended the event primarily to see him perform. However, just three minutes into his performance, the night took a turn for the worse. A lady near the stage was electrocuted due to faulty stage equipment. Black Sherif, seeing the incident, quickly called for security to assist the injured woman. She was taken to the clinic for treatment, but the damage had already been done.
Shocked and angered by the incident, Black Sherif stormed off the stage, visibly upset about the poor organization and the safety risks posed to his fans. Having performed on international stages with top-tier professionalism, Black Sherif could not tolerate the negligence he witnessed that night. His decision to leave cut his performance short, much to the disappointment of the audience.
Despite the high expectations for the night, it turned into one of the most disappointing moments on UMaT’s campus. Fans were left with a bitter taste, and the event will likely be remembered as a cautionary tale of what happens when an event is poorly managed. The failure of the night was a lesson in the importance of proper planning, especially when dealing with high-profile artists and large crowds.
