Politics of Friday, 11 October 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

Stop using King Paluta's song on your campaigns; you may annoy people - Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah to NPP

Members of NPP National Campaign team and Okatakye Afrifa Mensah Members of NPP National Campaign team and Okatakye Afrifa Mensah

Media personality Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah has urged the New Patriotic Party (NPP) to reconsider using certain songs in their campaigns, warning that it could alienate voters, many of whom are facing economic hardships.

He specifically referenced King Paluta's song "Makoma," stating that parts of its content could be seen as mocking the struggles of ordinary Ghanaians.

During a segment on his radio show, which was later shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Afrifa Mensah, who has expressed sympathy for the NPP in the past, advised the party to choose songs that resonate with the electorate in a more positive way.

He emphasized the importance of selecting music that appeals to voters' emotions rather than songs that might be perceived as taunting them.

Afrifa Mensah recalled similar mistakes made by the NPP in 2008 when the use of certain songs angered voters, leading to their loss of power. Afrifa Mensah pointed out that former President John Agyekum Kufuor won the 2000 election with the help of the campaign song Mmobrohunufo Agya, and that in 2016, President Akufo-Addo adopted a more thoughtful approach by using the song Asem Papabi a mati, which contributed to his victory.

Afrifa Mensah expressed frustration with the current campaign music choices, specifically criticizing the recurring use of "Owo sisi fiaa nobi" from King Paluta, arguing that it lacks meaningful political messaging.

"That song which appears has become part of the camping..., you did the same thing in 2008, it angered the electorate and we were voted out of power. Owo sisi fiaa nobi, is not a campaign message. Let's get serious, I've already decided to call him and tell him that they should stop playing that song on campaign platforms. We should stop this. Owo sisi fiaa nobi, and so what?

"President Kufour used Mmobrohunufo agya and he won the election in 2001. In 2008, when Akufo-Addo was doing the Believe in Ghana campaign and was playing songs and artists performing all over the place, he lost. Having learnt his lesson, in 2016, he used Asem papabi a mati as his campaign song and he won. You are singing Nyame na ahyira yen, na ashi mo, singing this song to the public gets those facing economic hardship annoyed. We should stop it. " Okatakyie Afrifa Mensah fumed.

He urged the NPP to stop playing songs that could irritate voters and instead focus on music that inspires and appeals to the conscience of the public.



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