Ghanaian Highlife artiste Kwabena Kwabena has strongly refuted a claim made by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, who suggested that the singer gained popularity after endorsing the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Kwabena Kwabena first endorsed Akufo-Addo in 2008 with his song “Number One,” which became a campaign anthem for the NPP. He continued his support in the 2012 and 2016 elections.
Okraku-Mantey in August 2024 argued that some artistes have thrived despite their political endorsements, citing Kwabena Kwabena as a prime example.
According to Okraku-Mantey, Kwabena Kwabena’s career became more vibrant after endorsing Nana Akufo-Addo’s presidential bid.
“Kwabena Kwabena became a bigger artiste after ‘NPP Wo Soro’ [song]. Yeah, Kwabena Kwabena became more popular after endorsing Candidate Akufo-Addo. So if you have your issues, don’t blame them on the political parties. If you manage yourself well, position yourself well as a brand, [you will thrive],” the government appointee said on Joy FM.
However, responding to the claim in an interview with Okay FM on September 9, 2024, Kwabena Kwabena described the deputy minister’s comments as ‘unfortunate.
He recounted his successful career trajectory, claiming that he was already popular well before his political endorsement.
“It’s unfortunate that the deputy minister would make such a statement. I don’t know the context under which he made that statement but if my memory serves me right, in 2008, I was on tour in North America, I had gone to Canada and was in the US when A -Plus called me to tell me that Akufo-Addo wanted me to work with him.
“If I wasn’t popular then, why would he be looking for me?” he said.
Kwabena Kwabena also reminisced about the release of his hit song ‘Aso’ in 2005, which had fans dancing and singing along across Ghana and in the UK by 2006.
“Those who know the fact know that I released that song in 2005, people were dancing to it, I was everywhere. The first time I played that song in the UK, I had the whole house singing along. I even got emotional like King Paluta got emotional when he performed Aseda in the UK. And that was in 2006,” he added.
Additionally, Nana Poku Ashis, the manager of Kwabena Kwabena, in an interview with GhanaWeb on August 14, 2024, also responded to Okraku-Mantey’s comments.
Ashis explained that while Kwabena Kwabena’s career wasn’t initially affected by his 2008 endorsement of the NPP, he faced challenges when the party lost in 2012, including backlash from fans and reduced show attendance.
Despite these difficulties, Kwabena Kwabena continued to work hard without receiving support from the NPP, even after they came to power in 2016.
Ashis argued that the artiste’s growth was due to his own efforts, not any direct support from the NPP.
Meanwhile, Kwabena Kwabena has since distanced himself from politics and is currently promoting his new song “Fakye Me” from his upcoming gospel EP, “God of Restoration.”
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Source: www.ghanaweb.com
