The Chairman of the Ghana Creative Arts Council and Programme’s Manager of Multimedia’s Hitz FM Mark Okraku Mantey has stated that, contrary to reports circulating on the socials and traditional media, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey, has not disrespected memebers of the creative arts and culture economy.

According to the celebrated record producer, the statement the Minister – who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom made was to highlight the fact that being a popular figure in the society does not guarantee victory in to parliament, explaining that, the statesperson was not speaking against creative practitioners who want to open a new chapter in politics.

The Minister, whilst campaigning for NPP Parliamentary Candidate, Lydia Alhassan last Friday, November 27, 2020, at Ayawaso West Wuogon, threw shades at John Dumelo claiming that Parliament is serious business and not for actors.

“Parliament is for serious minded people and not people who have done some movies and think they are popular”, the Minister said

Her comments however did not sit well with a lot of industry personalities especially those in the movie industry who claim the minister has placed less value on creatives. But, speaking as a guest to Akwasi Aboagye on Entertainment Review on Peace 104.3 FM, Mark Okraku Mantey stated that, the Minister’s claim was to admonish constituents not to elect their representative based on popularity grounds.

Watch interview below;

General elections are scheduled to be held in Ghana on 7 December 2020. The President of Ghana is elected using the two-round system, whilst the 275 members of Parliament are elected in single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting.

Charles Nii-Armah Mensah; Ghanaian born reggae & dancehall artiste popularly known as Shatta Wale has expressed dissatisfaction in some political foot soldiers and figures of the governing New Patriotic Party – NPP for using his brand for their political gains.

Disassociating himself from the photoshopped image which conveyed the message “Let us give Nana Addo four more years to more for you and me. My vote is for the president. He is number one on the ballot paper”, Shatta Wale urged political fanatics and big wigs to desist from dragging his image into matters of politics.

He tweeted, “Stop dragging me into matters of politics when I haven’t said anything. I see prominent people in our country posting photoshop statements about me which is not true. Please stop it cuz I hate it !!!”

General elections are scheduled to be held in Ghana on 7 December 2020. The President of Ghana is elected using the two-round system, whilst the 275 members of Parliament are elected in single-member constituencies using first-past-the-post voting.

Absa Bank Ghana in collaboration with its Brand Ambassador, M.anifest, has unveiled the “Simple & Easy” music video ahead of the Christmas festivities to demonstrate how customers can bank conveniently during the busy season as part of effort to promote digital and smart banking. The Simple & Easy campaign is designed to encourage customers to use Absa’s digital platforms and card services to bank smart, since it is faster, safer and easy to use.

The music video depicts a day in the life of a customer and the various transactions or banking activities that can be conveniently accomplished using Absa’s digital banking platforms. It showcases the Absa Vertical Card with contactless technology, rolled out earlier this year, which enables customers to make payments more conveniently just by a tap on payment terminals.

It also features the new improved Absa Mobile Banking App with facial recognition, biometric technology, bill payments, mobile money transfers as well as other enhanced functionalities that allows customers to do even more on their phones. Other digital services include Absa ChatBot Banking, cash accepting iATMs which enables customers make deposit and Hello Money USSD *895#, which functions without internet.

“As forward looking organisation, we are committed to building a bank that is future ready.” said Mr. Charles Addo, Retail Banking Director at Absa Bank Ghana. “So we deliberately and strategically tap into new technology to make banking smarter, safer and convenient for our customers. Our focus is to always find innovative ways to continuously enhance customer experience”, he added

“Our Vertical Contactless Debit card which is the first on the market, is designed to align with customers actually use of cards in this digital age; whether at the ATM, swiping or tapping to make payment,” Mr. Addo added.

Commenting on the campaign M.anifest noted that “Simple and Easy, is not just a slogan, it is the exciting reality of what Absa’s innovative digital solutions provides for the everyday life of customers. It makes life extremely convenient; I can personally attest to that”.

All Absa cards come with an array of benefits, making it easier for customers to bank and earn rewards. Customers can get up to 20% discount from the banks partners when the use their cards to pay. Additionally, customers get a 2% cash back rewards on purchases made with your Absa Platinum Credit Cards.

With just approximately 14 days to elections, Politicians are leveraging on creatives with outrageously large influence on the society to canvas for votes. With the majority of talents availing themselves to be used by politicians to incite electorate’s decision, just a few are on the notion that, staying neutral and allowing the electorate to elect president and parliamentarians based on achievements is the best.

Multi award-winning reggae & dancehall artiste, Stonebwoy, has, in a recent interview on an Accra-based Okay FM, stated that, though he is going exercise his civic responsibility on the day on December 7, he has not made any public declaration for any political candidate to be elected or re-elected for office. But, however believing that, electorates should be given the opportunity to access the political party they feel deserves their votes.

“I won’t endorse any political party for now but I know our father, H.E Nana Akufo Addo has done a lot of good things which are endorsable”, he told host of Ekwanso Dwodwo, Abeiku Santana.

Earlier, Ghanaian born hiplife artiste Batman Samini, endorsed Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in a hot single “Kpoyaka” which outlines the achievements of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), a liberal democratic political party which was registered on 28 July 1992, Government under the leadership of Nana Akufo-Addo.

Sarkodie also dropped “Happy Day” featuring Kuami Eugene. The ambiguity and or inexactness of the song produced by MOG Beatz and Mastered by Possigee has left consumers in a state of uncertainty, as it has become very difficult to interpret it to be a Gospel or political campaign song for the governing New Patriotic Party. However, some part of the lyrics suggest it is actually an agenda driven campaign so for President Nana Akufo-Addo and also a Gospel song to keep nerves calm in these hard times.