I've not endorsed NDC - Stonebwoy clears

Ghanaian afro-dancehall singer and songwriter Livingstone Etse Satekla, also known as Stonebwoy, is setting the ‘record straight’ on his political affiliation, saying he isn’t associated with any political party in Ghana.

The “Putuu” singer’s clarification comes following a re-circulation of an old video of him boarding Okada (commercial motorbike).

The old video was circulated on social after the National Democratic Congress (NDC) launched its manifesto on Monday, September 7. In the manifesto, they emphatically promised to legalise Okada when given power in the forthcoming December elections.

The said video was linked to Stonebwoy’s Okada ride and many suggested that it was an endorsement for John Mahama’s campaign promise.

Reacting to the issue, Stonebwoy took to Twitter on Tuesday, September 8, to deny all the allegations.

He vehemently stated: “My attention has been drawn to a 3-year-old video of me riding on an Okada. which is being publicized as an endorsement for a political party.”

“I disassociate myself from this.. please I beg this is not in any way an endorsement for any political party,” he added.

My attention has been drawn to a 3 Year old video of me riding on an OKADA. Which is being Publicized As An Endorsement For A Political Party..
I disassociate Myself From this..
Please I Beg this is NOT in ANY WAY an ENDORSEMENT For ANY POLITICAL PARTY #GodBlessGhana

— 1GAD (@stonebwoyb) September 8, 2020

Aside from legalising Okada business in Ghana, the NDC also made some promises for the creative arts sector – where Stonebwoy belongs.

They made 17 promises as follows;

The next NDC Government will:

a. Implement programmes to support the growth of the film, music and the creative industry to drive job creation and economic growth

b. Resource nationally recognised creative arts bodies like the Ghana Association of Writers, MUSIGHA, National Film Authority, Ghana Union of Visual Arts(GUVA), among others

c. Strengthen regulation to protect the copyright of artistes and ensure that they get value for their works by enforcing the payment of user fees under the Copyright Regulations, 2010 (L.I. 1962)

d. Set up a system of legal aid for creative artistes to help fight creative/intellectual theft and plagiarism by others

e. Pass the Creative Industry Bill into law and implement it to promote the development of the industry

f. Resource the national museums and empower them to function properly and create space for exhibitions

READ MORE: Special fund for needy artistes, scholarships and all the NDC Manifesto promises to Creative Arts

g. Promote local patronage of various creative products

h. Partner with GUVA and other fine art associations to purchase their finished works to furnish and decorate public offices to support the fine art businesses

i. Through the National Film Authority, encourage our embassies overseas to purchase and periodically show appropriate Ghanaian films on Ghana Day and other special occasions

j. In collaboration with the Ghana Association of Writers, establish a National Writing Contest and support the promotion of the best literary works

k. Provide seed money for the creation of a special fund for artists including aged and needy creative artists

l. Make available scholarship packages for disadvantaged creative artistes to pursue courses or programmes for self-development in the national interest

m. Facilitate the enrolment of creative artists unto the informal pension scheme

n. Develop programmes to harness talents and potentials in the industry

o. Structure the educational curriculum to allow students to appreciate the relevance of culture and creative arts in life and national development

p. Promote district, regional and national competitions in the creatives among the youth in tertiary institutions

q. Facilitate the placement of creative art products on digital platforms for promotional purposes.