Ground Up Chale Files GH₵10 Million Defamation Suit Against Kwesi Arthur
Ghanaian music company Ground Up Chale and its founder Glen Boateng have initiated a defamation lawsuit against award-winning musician Kwesi Arthur at the High Court in Accra. The suit, filed in January 2026, stems from a series of statements the artist published on social media earlier this month. The plaintiffs are demanding damages exceeding GH₵10 million, alongside court orders declaring the statements defamatory, compelling their removal, restraining further publication, and mandating a public apology and retraction.
The legal action follows claims by Kwesi Arthur that his former management demanded US$150,000 from him to use images of himself and asserted ownership over his image, music catalogue, and career dating back to 2016. He further alleged that he earned no income from his music throughout his time with the label and accused Ground Up Chale of intimidation, interference with his current music releases, and actions that negatively affected his professional progress.
In addition to the financial and contractual accusations, Kwesi Arthur suggested that his former management should be held responsible should any harm come to him. These remarks, according to Ground Up Chale, were false, damaging, and calculated to tarnish the company’s reputation and that of its founder. The plaintiffs argue that the statements have caused significant reputational harm and financial loss.
Ground Up Chale has firmly denied all allegations, insisting that the dispute is strictly contractual and limited to rights over materials produced during the period of their professional relationship. The label maintains that Kwesi Arthur received royalties and other payments in line with their agreement and that any restrictions imposed applied solely to content created under the label’s investment and ownership. The case is expected to test the boundaries of artist-label contractual obligations and defamation law within Ghana’s creative industry.
𝐖𝐢𝐲𝐚𝐚𝐥𝐚 𝐓𝐨 𝐁𝐞 𝐎𝐮𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐀𝐬 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐢’𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭-𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟏𝟕