Ghana has a record of political endorsement by celebrated personalities ahead of general elections. It is believed that these influential persons have the ability to pull massive support for a political party or candidate.
Over the years, political parties have also employed musicians in the public eye to coin their campaign songs with some making public appearances at their political rallies.
Whereas people believe that celebrities earn huge sums of money form political endorsement, there are dare implications on their career. In some instances, some personalities have made a u-turn after endorsement causing the public to question their credibility.
GhanaWeb has put together a list of celebrities who have endorsed political candidates ahead of the 2020 general elections. There is a high probability of more endorsement as the country prepares to go to the polls come December 7, 2020.
1. Shatta Wale
Ghana’s Dancehall giant, Shatta Wale, real named Charles Nii Armah Jnr. is the latest celebrity to have publicly endorsed Ghana’s sitting president, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
The news came in as a shock to fans who assumed that the “Mahama Paper” hitmaker was in the camp of the National Democratic Congress. During the 2016 elections, Shatta graced one of the NDC’s rallies. His actions confirmed his support for the party which unfortunately lost power to the NPP in that years’ election.
Four years down the line, Shatta Wale, in an interview on radio endorsed the NPPs presidential candidate when he said, “me I have not voted before but he (Nana Akufo-Addo) has done great things that I think Ghanaians should consider him to run his four years term again, trust me.”
Shatta Wale is undoubtedly the country's top artiste with a huge fanbase. The Shatta Movement CEO has pulled massive crowds at a number of his concerts. In his recent TV interview, a large crowd trooped to the premises of United Television to have a look at their “god-father”.
Shatta Wale undoubtedly is the “king of the street”, an endorsement from him can be considered as a huge advantage to a political party.
2. Rex Omar
Veteran musician and head of the Ghana Music Rights Organisation (GHAMRO), Rex Omar, has openly disclosed his political affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) of which he says he’s proud of.
He claims that “It will be disastrous” for Ghana if Akufo-Addo wins the 2020 elections and has called on all to vote for the opposition party, NDC.
The high-life musician in his recent post on Facebook outlined what he termed as the “2020 manifesto of John Mahama, he added that, “This is just the tip of the iceberg. We all know Mahama’s desire to transform Ghana – his reputation for development is a universal reality. He’s done it before, he can do it again”.
Rex Omar in June 2020 refuted claims of condemning his party in one of his tweets, according to him, that account was fake. He said, “my Twitter account is Rex Omar official and I’m a proud member of NDC. I will never even publicly condemn my communication director, I will not do that.”
He has for the past month been on the neck of the ruling NPP, and has described President Akufo-Addo as a "corrupt leader".
3. MzBel
Belinda Nana Ekua Addo known in the showbiz industry as MzBel is one of Ghana’s celebrated female artiste. MzBel has over the years thrown her full support behind former president John Dramani Mahama.
She has on several occasions proved her unflinching support for the NDC with every opportunity that comes her way.
MzBel who refers to John Mahama as her father in April 2020 affirmed her commitment to her party when she wrote on her Instagram page that, “I was born NDC and will remain NDC till I die!”
She also debunked claims of her losing so many opportunities following her political endorsement. Some celebrities have come out to explain the negative impact of their decision to endorse a political candidate on their career.
MzBel who currently works as a radio presenter is best known for her hit songs which include, “Awoso Me”, “Yopoo” and “16 Years”.
4.Tracy Boakye
Movie producer and actress, Tracy Boakye, has on several platforms debunked claims that most of her properties where acquired through financial support from the NDC.
Despite openly declaring her support for the party’s flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, the actress doesn’t want her “hard-earned” wealth to be associated with the party.
In one of her interviews on radio, Tracy asked to be buried in an NDC coffin when she dies. She claims that her love for the party comes naturally and doesn’t intend to gain any financial benefit from the NDC.
The actress has once again revealed her plans to campaign for the NDC in the upcoming general elections on December 7, 2020.
5. Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong
Gospel Musician Isaiah Kwadwo Ampong has been one of the long-standing supporters of the New Patriotic Party. He composed a song for the party which enjoys massive airplay during an election year.
Great Ampong claims that the policies of the NPP won his support for the party. The musician in a recent interview explained that his absence in the music industry was due to some financial challenges.
His statement came as a surprise to his fans who questioned why the party had neglected him. In response, Ampong stated that he has never “regretted campaigning for NPP”. He further denied ever stating that the party had neglected him.
Popular among the songs composed by the veteran musician for the New Patriotic Party is, “Vote for Nana Akufo-Addo” which was released in 2012 and continues to be one of the most played songs at the party’s rallies.
Ghanaian celebrities who have endorsed NPP and NDC presidential candidates