POLITICS
Why Smart Nkansah’s song for JJ Rawlings was used by NPP in the 1992 elections
Veteran music producer Fredy Kyei Mensah, known as Fredyma, has narrated the story behind highlife artiste Smart Nkansah’s composition of a song for the late President Jerry John Rawlin during an election period.
According to Fredyma, in 1979, Rawlings tasked Smart Nkansah to create a song titled “Fear No Man,” intended for a future project. Shortly after, Rawlings led a coup that deposed the then-president, Dr. Hilla Limann, and seized control of the government.
Fredyma continued, explaining that upon completing the song, Nkansah sought advice from a producer named Rezobath, who counseled against handing the song over to Rawlings, advice which Nkansah heeded.
In an interview with Angel FM, Fredyma disclosed that the song crafted for Rawlings was subsequently modified and adopted by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for their campaign in the 1992 general elections.
He recounted, “In 1979, Rawlings approached Smart Nkansah to pen a song called ‘Fear No Man.’ They shared a close friendship. Before long, Rawlings had orchestrated a coup to depose Limann from power…
“Later, Nkansah wrote a song he intended for JJ Rawlings, but after consulting with the producer Rezobath, who advised against it, he refrained. Eventually, the song was taken, edited, and repurposed by the NPP for the 1992 elections, despite being originally composed for the NDC.”
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Source: www.ghanaweb.com
