-Downplays Entertainment Industry
Ghanaian musician-turned-politician, Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as Kwame A Plus has outlined his priorities as he transitions into his new role as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Gomoa Central.
Speaking to Graphic Showbiz, A Plus made it clear that his focus in Parliament will be on serving his constituents and not on advocating for the entertainment industry.
“I don’t want anyone to think that Kwame A Plus is going to Parliament to fight for the interest of the entertainment industry. That is not my business there,” he stated. “My interest is to work and bring satisfaction to the people of Gomoa Central who voted massively for me because of the confidence they have in me.”
A Plus said that his election victory was due to the support of his constituents, not the creative industry. “No creative industry person or group put me in Parliament. When I was contesting, there wasn’t any word of support from the Musicians Union of Ghana (MUSIGA), the Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), or any creative group to rally support for me.”
“It was just a few of my friends in the industry who solidly stood by me throughout. So nobody should tell me I’m representing the creative industry; I’m going to Parliament to serve the interest of the people of Gomoa Central,” he added.
Despite his stance, A Plus acknowledged the challenges facing the entertainment sector and praised dancehall artist Shatta Wale for consistently championing solutions. “Shatta Wale has been talking too much sense. They should go and listen to what he says; I know it will help them,” he noted.
A Plus criticized the creative industry’s tendency for self-importance, suggesting this attitude often hinders collective progress. “Players in the creative industry think highly of themselves with everyone feeling more important in the face of the bedeviling challenges,” he remarked.
A Plus’ victory in the 2024 parliamentary elections has been a major in his career. He secured 14,277 votes, defeating the incumbent MP, Naana Eyiah Quansah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), by a margin of 2,640 votes.
Reflecting on his journey, A Plus revealed that his decision to run for office was not spontaneous but the result of years of preparation.
“I started nursing the idea of running for Parliament six years ago and started getting myself ready for that by going back to school,” he said. “I went back to have a Bachelor’s degree, a Master’s, and an LLB. I armed myself with some requisite knowledge, and I’m glad of the outcome today.”
