Nana Ampadu, Rex Support Nana

A large number of Ghanaian musicians, film actors and a section of stakeholders in the entertainment industry in the country have pledged their support for Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, whom they believe is the only one who has plans to build vibrant music and film industries in the country. At a get-together organized by Nana Akufo-Addo, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the players in the showbiz industry, they fell for Nana Addo when they realized that he had good plans towards building a vibrant showbiz industry. The meeting attracted over 500 celebrities from all parts of the country. When Nana Akufo-Addo was the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, he worked closely with all the stakeholders in the entertainment industry as well as the copyright administration which was under his outfit. During his tenure of office, Nana held a series of meetings with musicians, film actors and actresses and all the stakeholders in the entertainment industry to find a lasting solution to the numerous problems facing the industry. He as well played an active role in bringing unity among stakeholders in the industry. Based on his commitment to build vibrant music, film and cultural industries in the country, all the players in the various sectors have fallen for Nana Addo. They see him as the only leader who has all the sectors at heart, and when voted into power, would cause the entertainment industry to witness massive progress. The meeting was the first of its kind, where the flagbearer of a political party met with those in the industry to outline his vision for the industry, discuss the problems facing it and also fraternize with them ahead of elections. It was all fanfare when Nana Kwame Ampadu and Jewel Ackah, backed by J.A. Adofo, Kofi Sammy and others entertained ‘patrons’ with a special music composed for Nana Akufo-Addo. Tic-Tac, Kwabena Kwabena, Wutah, Ex Doe and their colleagues also charged the atmosphere with their renditions. Nana Akufo-Addo, in a short speech, promised the artistes a place of recognition should he become the next leader of Ghana. “Artistes all over the world live well through their work but the case is different when it comes to our country. When I am elected into office by December this year, I will make sure effective reforms that ensure quality life for the artiste are enshrined and implemented in the copyright laws,” he indicated. The general secretary of the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), Nana Kwame Ampadu, a renowned Ghanaian musician, expressed his sincere support for the NPP flagbearer towards the 2008 general elections. After delivering a solidarity message on behalf of MUSIGA, Nana Ampadu told the gathering that he was prepared and would do everything possible for Nana Addo to become the next president of Ghana. He said until he met Nana Addo when he was the Minister of Justice and Attorney General about five years ago, he did not know he (Nana) was of such a humble character. “It is an open secret that between 1992 and 1998 or thereabout I campaigned for the NDC. But something dramatic happened at a meeting where both Nana Addo-Dankwa Akufo Addo and I were present. Initially he exchanged pleasantries with all seated, except me. I immediately presumed he intentionally refused to greet me because of my affiliation with the NDC,” he said. However, according to Nana Ampadu, his perception turned out to be wrong when Nana Addo later drew closer and greeted him. Nana Ampadu therefore pledged that he and his colleagues would give Nana Addo all the necessary support to enable him win the elections and become the next President of Ghana by 2009. Those present at the gathering included veteran musicians such as C.K. Mann, Papa Yankson, Abrekyie Ba Kofi Sammy, Abrantie Amakye Dede, Mac Tontoh and Kojo Antwi. Others were Ben Brako, Rex Omar, Charles Amoah and Paulina Oduro. Most hiplife artistes were also present. Some popular faces in the movie industry including Fred Amugi, David Dontoh, Kwame Owusu Ansah, and Nana Ama Mac Brown also showed up. In a related development, Rex Omar, a popular Ghanaian musician has stated that politicians, through empty promises, cannot use musicians as political toys. He said politicians who make promises on improving Ghana’s cultural sector must deliver in order to gain the support of celebrities such as him. He made the statement in response to a question on the recent get-together organised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Akufo-Addo for players in the showbiz industry. Speaking on Radio Gold’s Solid Gold Countdown, Rex Omar expressed profound relief that finally a politician is beginning to see the need to revamp the troubled Ghanaian cultural sector. He said: “Nana was so sincere. I don’t want to believe he called us to his house just for the sake of politics.” Rex has been a strong advocate for positive change in Ghana’s entertainment sector and believes it should be the bedrock of any nation’s developmental agenda.