10 Ghanaian celebrities who used fame to enter politics
Ghanaian celebrities slowly but surely opened up to the idea of using their fame amassed to build a followership in the political arena.
Some have failed in this regard while others have made significant strides.
Yen.com.gh has put together a list of some known celebrities who have decided to use their fame as a tool to enter politics.
1. Grace Omaboe
Grace Omaboe, who was also known as Maame Dokono, before dabbling in politics, was famous for her role in TV series, "Obra". The veteran actress was a favorite amongst children in the late 1990s and early 2000s being the host of "By The Fireside". In 2014, Grace Omaboe contested for the seat of parliament of the Abirem Constituency as an NDC but lost to the incumbent MP. Her earliest attempt at holding a political office was in 2000 on the seat of the NPP when she contested for the seat of parliament for the Birim North Constituency.
2. Fritz Baffuor
Baffour was a journalist, stand-up comedian, and actor. He was also a media consultant to the government of Jerry Rawlings. Even though Baffour was involved with the NDC from its inception, he decided to show his political colors in 2008. He contested for the Ablekuma South seat and won. Subsequently, he was appointed the Minister for information by President John Mills in 2012. Fritz Baffour has indicated that he will not seek re-election in the December polls.
3. Abla Dzifa Gomashie
Dzifa Gomashie, who is one of Ghana’s talented and experienced actresses, made her acting debut in 1985 with Talents Theatre Company formed by Kofi Portuphy. She did not run for a political office, but President Mahama in 2013 appointed her as the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, a position she still holds.
4. Gilbert Aggrey
Gilbert Aggrey is popularly known as Abeiku Santana. He is a renowned radio presenter in his time. In 2015, he expressed his willingness to contest the Mfantseman parliamentary primaries of the NDC. However, he failed to pick up forms to make his desires official. That notwithstanding he continues to support the NDC.
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5. Gifty Osei
Gospel musician, Gifty Osei declared her intentions to contest the 2016 Awutu Senya West Constituency seat in a post on Instagram. She did not state which party she will be leading in the constituency. She wrote “I’m now ready to pick up my form # MP Making # I have the people of Awutu Senya West Constituency at Heart. For God and Country.”
6. Seth Kwame Dzokoto
Dzokoto gained a lot of audiences after he started hosting ‘Edziban’, a cooking TV show. In 2014 he was elected the NDC Deputy Propaganda Secretary of the Tarkwa Nsuem constituency in the Western Region. The comedian who was banned recently from advertising alcoholic beverages was vetted, approved and voted for to lead the governing NDC in the Tarkwa Nsuem Constituency.
7. Sena Okity Duah
From Miss Ghana 1997 to Member of Parliament for Ledzokuku in the Greater Accra region in 2012. The former beauty queen in the previous election beat NDC constituency stalwarts like Nii Nortey Duah in the primary to win the primary. In 2016, she is also participating in the election with the hope of retaining the seat.
8. John Dumelo
Lately, Dumelo has been in the news for his political activities. He is reported to have declared his support for the NDC and his aspirations to be president of Ghana in the future. John Dumelo currently goes to schools and other places to campaign for the NDC presidential nominee President John Mahama.
9. Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
The one-time host of the Joy Super Morning Show will contest as the NPP’s parliamentary candidate for the Ofoase-Ayirebi Constituency in the Eastern Region.
10. Ebi Bright
Actress Ebi Bright went unopposed in the 2015 primaries on the NDC. This means she will be contesting the seat of Tema Central Constituency in the Greater Accra region. She will be competing with NPP’s Kofi Brako.
Source: YEN.com.gh
