The manager of Ghanaian artiste Kwabena Kwabena, has responded to Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey's comments that the artiste became bigger after endorsing the NPP.
It could be recalled that in an interview with Joy FM on August 10, 2024, Mark Okraku-Mantey stated that political affiliations can benefit creatives.
He cited Kwabena Kwabena as an example, claiming that the singer's career became more vibrant after endorsing Nana Akufo-Addo.
However, Nana Poku Ashis, speaking exclusively to GhanaWeb’s Isaac Dadzie on August 14, 2024, described Okraku-Mantey’s statement as “vague” and questioned the deputy minister’s definition of "bigger."
Ashis explained that although Kwabena Kwabena’s career wasn’t affected after his initial support for the NPP in 2008, he started facing challenges when the NPP failed to win power in 2012.
“He was victimised in a lot of circumstances. Some of his fans who are from the opposition side got angry with him for, you know, using his platform or his image to campaign for the NPP. So some people also felt a bit disappointed in him for doing that. And his Facebook comments, his social media comments, there were a lot of backlash, insults, and all that. Some people said that they were not going to go to his show again, his numbers started reducing and all that,” he said.
Despite these difficulties, Kwabena Kwabena continued to work hard, hoping for support from the NPP, which did not materialise even after they came to power in 2016.
“He thought that 'my beloved party has come to power, I could make a few phone calls and then see how I could get help,’ which also all fell on deaf ears. He didn't get any help from them. He had to struggle,” he added.
Ashis argued that the artiste's growth was due to his own efforts rather than any direct support from the NPP.
“Why are you trying to take credit for something you didn't do? You didn't create anything for him. You didn't give him any money, you didn't pay anything for him. So if he has become bigger, you can't say he became bigger because he endorsed the NPP. He became bigger when you didn't actually contribute to that. He rather got backlash after endorsing NPP. He had to work his way up. So Mark’s statement is vague,” he said.
He highlighted that the artiste's endorsement of the NPP was driven by genuine support for Akufo Addo, not financial gain and that future engagements would be approached as business ventures.
“He wasn't paid for anything. He wasn't paid. He went in with love because he loved the candidate, Akufo Addo. Lessons learnt. Fair enough. So now, from here on, everything else will be business,” he declared.
Meanwhile, Kwabena Kwabena has since distanced himself from politics, focussing on his music career. He is currently promoting his new song "Fakye Me" from his upcoming gospel EP, "God of Restoration."
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