Artiste manager, Nana Poku Ashis has called for Ghanaian creatives to be more business-oriented when engaging with political parties.
According to him, due to the risks, creatives tend to face after endorsing political parties, they should try as much as possible to benefit from these transactions when they have the chance.
Ashis highlighted the risks creatives face when endorsing political parties, noting that such endorsements can sometimes lead to career setbacks.
“Why should you sell your entire career? You are not a politician. Right after they finish what they have to do with you, they are done with you. It should all be business. Your music is helping them achieve them. What are you benefitting from them?”
Nana Poku Ashis
Ashis advised creatives to clearly define their terms and ensure their contributions are recognized and rewarded.
“It’s all about positioning. We’ve seen artists who have gone to endorse parties and then their careers were shattered. So, if I, as an artist, I’m throwing my weight around a political party, there should be some form of business,” Nana Poku Ashis said.
He commended Afrobeats artist, Olivetheboy, who said that his performance at the NDC Youth Manifesto Launch on August 15 was strictly business. He encouraged all artists to ensure they receive fair compensation for their efforts.
Ashis, who currently manages Kwabena Kwabena, stated that they would only accept to engage with a political party if they stand to benefit from it.
“If you see us on any platform right now, it’s purely business. I’m not sure it will be on merits anymore. We’ll do business. You might see us on NDC the same week. You might see us on NPP. It’s business.
“If they call us, we’ll go and do business. I mean, that’s the point at which we are now. If he, the artist, has a love for one of them, he should keep it. That is his love. But when it comes to the team KBKB, he might like A. But we’ll just go and do our business.”
Nana Poku Ashis
Manager Reacts To Okraku-Mantey’s Statement About Kwabena Kwabena
The manager of Ghanaian artiste Kwabena Kwabena responded to comments made by Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, who stated that the artiste became more successful after endorsing the NPP.
Okraku-Mantey claimed that political affiliations can benefit creatives, citing Kwabena Kwabena as an example. He suggested that the singer’s career gained momentum after endorsing Nana Akufo-Addo.
Nana Poku Ashis criticized Okraku-Mantey’s statement as “vague” and questioned the deputy minister’s definition of “success.”
Ashis explained that while Kwabena Kwabena’s career was not negatively impacted after his initial support for the NPP in 2008, he began to face significant challenges when the party failed to win power in 2012.
“He was victimized in many ways. Some of his fans, particularly those who supported the opposition, were upset that he used his platform to campaign for the NPP. Others were disappointed in him for doing so. He received backlash on social media, and some fans even vowed to stop attending his shows, leading to a decline in his audience numbers.”
Nana Poku Ashis
Despite these setbacks, Kwabena Kwabena continued to work tirelessly, hoping for support from the NPP, but none materialized, even after the party came to power in 2016.
“He believed that with his party in power, he could make a few calls and secure some support, but all his efforts were in vain. He received no help and had to struggle on his own,” Ashis added.
Ashis emphasized that the artist’s growth was a result of his own determination and hard work, rather than any direct support from the NPP.
“Why try to take credit for something you didn’t contribute to? You didn’t create opportunities for him, you didn’t provide financial support. If he has become bigger, it wasn’t because of the NPP endorsement. In fact, he faced backlash after endorsing them and had to work his way up. Mark’s statement is vague.”
Nana Poku Ashis
Ashis also pointed out that Kwabena Kwabena’s endorsement of the NPP was motivated by genuine admiration for Akufo-Addo, not financial gain. Moving forward, any future engagements would be strictly business.
Meanwhile, Kwabena Kwabena has distanced himself from politics and is focused 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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