Ghanaian playwright and entertainment critic George Quaye has weighed in on the recent statement by Deputy Tourism Minister Mark Okraku-Mantey, who claimed that musician Kwabena Kwabena became a bigger artiste after endorsing President Akufo-Addo. 

In a reaction on Hitz FM on August 14, 2024, George Quaye explained that the ministers' statement could be valid, especially in a political year, as aligning with a popular figure can significantly enhance one's public image.

“He has every right to say that. I don't think there's anything wrong with what Honourable Mark Okraku-Mantey said, but of course, it's subject to interpretation, especially in a political year,” he said.

George Quaye noted that during Akufo-Addo's candidacy, there was a strong desire for change among the populace, leading to widespread endorsements. 

He argued that when a beloved candidate is endorsed, the endorser naturally gains favour with the candidate's supporters. 

“Was candidate Akufo Addo a very popular candidate at the time? If we can analyse it that way and say, oh, yes, he was at the time, then I kind of understand where honourable Okraku-Mantey was coming from.  At the point when Kwabena Kwabena endorsed candidate Akufo-Addo, one of the hottest things in our political space was candidate Akufo-Addo.

“People were tired, people had been asking for a change. There was a certain level of association. You know, people were aligning, people were endorsing him. So when you man up, you stand and confidently say, look, this is the way I am going and you go that way. If the candidate is not hated, if the candidate is loved, if the candidate is appreciated when you do something for that candidate, naturally you win over the fan base of that candidate,” he explained.

This phenomenon, according to Quaye, works both ways, benefiting both politicians and celebrities.

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