Veteran Highlife artiste and NDC Spokesperson on Tourism and Creative Arts, Rex Omar, has voiced strong criticism against Vice President and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Flagbearer Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, questioning his credibility and commitment to the creative arts sector.

Omar's comments come in response to the promises made by the NPP in its 2024 manifesto, which was launched on August 18, 2024.

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia had promised a collaboration with private sector organisations to significantly invest in tourism and creative arts facilities, introduce a Visa-Free policy for all African and Caribbean nationals visiting Ghana and create a Travel Protocol Service (TPS) to support artistes and performers in honouring international engagements.

However, speaking on the August 24, 2024, edition of United Showbiz, Rex Omar questioned Bawumia's credibility, stating, "Let's put Bawumia somewhere because as far as I am concerned, he has not proven to be credible over the years."

He expressed skepticism about Bawumia's promises, particularly those related to issuing diplomatic passports to creatives and influencing other countries' acceptance of Ghanaian creatives.

“When they write long and convoluted things like this, people won't be able to understand. Is Bawumia going to issue diplomatic passports to creatives? Or is he going to dictate to other countries how they should accept creatives?

"Even some of our diplomats get rejected by other countries. So, if he writes something long like this, how do you expect people to believe a promise like this while you are still in government?"

The veteran musician also criticised the government's failure to deliver on its promise to build ultramodern theatres across the country, a commitment made in 2016 and 2020.

"You promised to build ultramodern theatres around the country, you couldn’t even build a single one since 2016. And you couldn't even apologise and explain why you couldn’t fulfil your promise," Omar remarked.

See the video below:

Dr. Bawumia, as far as I am concerned, has not proven to be credible over the years - Rex Omar#UnitedShowBiz pic.twitter.com/AMrmyxJVgX

— UTV Ghana (@utvghana) August 25, 2024