Legendary hiplife musician, Okyeame Kwame has explained why he refused to accept the running mate role of Alan Kyeremanten founder of the ‘Movement for Change.
Okyeame Kwame disclosed that he was approached by Alan Kyerematen, to serve as his running mate in the upcoming 2024 general elections.
The celebrated artist revealed that Kyerematen presented him with a detailed list of 10 criteria that made him a strong contender for the role.
Among these was his reputation as a successful family man, a characteristic Alan deemed essential for his running mate.
Okyeame Kwame admitted he found the offer flattering but ultimately declined after careful reflection on the challenges of a political career.
Alan Kyeremanten founder of the ‘Movement for Change
In an interview on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z, the Sika hitmaker shared the key reasons behind his decision.
He cited concerns over propaganda, security threats, and the intense scrutiny of his personal life that public figures in politics often endure.
He expressed a desire to shield his family, particularly his teenage children, from these potential pressures.
“So, he [Alan] reached out while I was in Kumasi for an event. I met with him, and he outlined the criteria for his running mate. It was very flattering. They wanted someone who had achieved significant milestones, and I’ve been in the music industry for 26 years. They also considered personal values like marriage and family,” Okyeame Kwame recounted.
However, the musician explained that entering partisan politics required serious preparation, particularly for his family.
Hiplife legend, Okyeame Kwame
“I couldn’t do it because my children are teenagers. If I [were to go] into partisan politics, I would need to prepare them for at least a year. I also had to think about security: what if people spread false propaganda about you? What if they dug up your skeletons? Had I prepared my family to deal with that kind of pressure? No. And because of that, I didn’t want to put my family in jeopardy,” he explained.
This decision comes months after Okyeame Kwame publicly announced his resignation from the ruling New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) sub-committee on tourism, arts, and culture.
This committee, led by prominent figures like Juliet Yaa Asantewaa Asante (Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority) and Akwasi Agyemang (Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Tourism Authority), had included Okyeame as a member earlier this year.
In addition to his family considerations, the musician revealed that his contractual agreements with certain organizations required him to remain politically neutral. This neutrality conflicted with the demands of a political role.
Despite his withdrawal, Okyeame Kwame maintains his respect for the individuals he worked with and the vision they sought to promote.
