A social media post by popular dancehall artiste Shatta Wale, calling on the youth to stop the abuse of Tramadol, has sparked debate among some followers.
While some believe his call is a good cause, others lashed out at him, claiming he led the youth to abuse the drug, calling him ‘king of Tramadol’.
On Tuesday, Shatta Wale posted on Twitter that he is angry by the abuse of the drug especially with fellow artistes who “are teaching their fans tramol life should stop”.
He claims the “ghetto youth community” does not belong to the government but him.
This Tramol thing must stop..I bore waaaa ..and those artiste who are teaching their fans tramol life should stop ..Ghetto youth community is not for the Government ..is for Shatta Wale …Lets join hands and #StopTramadolAbuse #ShattaMovement #Zylofon #BossBaker #Storm #SM4Lyf
— SHATTA WALE (@shattawalegh) May 22, 2018
But the post engendered reactions from followers some of whom thought the call in itself is to shed light on the drug.
Stop tramadol or stop tramadol abuse you still de advertise am!! Cool down
— TEDEKU🇯🇲 (@MTEDRECORDS) May 22, 2018
Most followers heaped praises on the multiple award-winning artiste for the call.
https://twitter.com/DansoPhilip5/status/998856044775387136
Hmmm Sm boss it a pity we have to join hands and fight this tramol tin come to mah hood and see jonkys all over de place hmm….
— Ras pincho (@MyInfo26674582) May 22, 2018
https://twitter.com/YungRicH55/status/998863955090202624
@shattawalegh God bless u for yr little advice u have for we the ghetto youth,every ghetto youth should #WiseUp and Say NO to Tramadol dosage
— Hagan Shatta Acquah Jonathan (@HaganShatta) May 22, 2018
Others were not kind with their words on Shatta Wale.
See mumu
Who teaches tramol life more than you.
U came to a show to perform with lighter in ur pocket
Telling ur fans to smoke the weed @shattawalegh U make I bore Waaa
U re messing up the youth in this country
Now you wanna shift blame
U re dumb AF— perpetual (@amarhnsiah) May 22, 2018
You was advertising it yourself,or have you forgotten you were talking about Benylin coughs syrup in one of your music?or because the name is different from tramadol?all is drugs dont talk about only tramadol people are also abusing the syrup to as well#peace.
— Kofiboxton (@kofiboxton) May 22, 2018
Tramadol abuse is said to have hit record high in Ghana with some opinion leaders calling for the arrest of users.
READ: Jail youth who abuse tramor, suggests chief
The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) recently confiscated over 4,000 tablets of the drug in the Ashanti Region.
By Emmanuel Kwame Amoh|3news.com|Ghana