Nana Poku Ashis, the manager of Ghanaian musician Kwabena Kwabena, has addressed comments made by Mark Okraku-Mantey regarding the artist’s career following his endorsement of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mark Okraku-Mantey, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, controversially claimed that Kwabena Kwabena’s career experienced a significant boost after he aligned himself with the party during the lead-up to the 2020 elections.
In a discussion on Joy FM, he shared his thoughts on how celebrity endorsements can influence political parties and the subsequent effects on the artists’ careers.
Using Kwabena Kwabena as an example, Mark suggested that the singer’s support for Nana Akufo-Addo as the NPP’s presidential candidate in 2020 played a crucial role in enhancing his career.
In response, Ashis promptly refuted this assertion, stating that the artist’s career actually faced challenges following his political involvement. He emphasized that it was through his own dedication and skill that he managed to regain the support of discontented fans.
“He was targeted in many instances. Some of his fans from the opposition side were upset with him for using his platform to campaign for the NPP.
“Others felt disappointed in his decision. On social media, he faced a lot of backlash and insults, and some fans even said they wouldn’t attend his shows anymore, leading to a drop in numbers,” Ashis told GhanaWeb’s Isaac Dadzie in an interview.
“He believed that once the party he supported came into power, he could make a few calls and receive some assistance, but those efforts went unanswered. He had to struggle on his own,” Ashis added.
“On social media, he faced a lot of backlash and insults, and some fans even said they wouldn’t attend his shows anymore, leading to a drop in numbers,” Ashis explained.
Ashis contended that any advancement in Kwabena Kwabena’s career can be attributed solely to the artist’s personal endeavors, rather than any direct assistance from the NPP.
“Why take credit for something you didn’t contribute to? You didn’t give him any money or support, so if he has grown, it’s not because he endorsed the NPP.
“In fact, he faced backlash for that endorsement and had to work his way back up. So Mark’s statement is vague,” he said.
“He wasn’t paid for anything. He supported Akufo-Addo out of love. Lessons have been learned, and from now on, everything will be approached as a business,” he concluded.
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