Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Mark Okraku-Mantey, has credited creative entrepreneur Baba Sadiq with inspiring his decision to pursue a parliamentary seat in Ayensuano.
During an interview on Daybreak Hitz with Andy Dosty, Okraku-Mantey revealed how Sadiq, the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for Okaikoi Central, first encouraged him to consider entering politics. The encounter occurred before Okraku-Mantey assumed his ministerial role.
"One day, Sadiq approached me while I was working here at The Multimedia Group," Okraku-Mantey recounted. "He asked if it was true that I hailed from Ayensuano and shared that his father, who was once an NPP chairman in Ayensuano, knew my background well. Sadiq’s father even offered me some political advice, which shaped my decision-making."
Following Sadiq’s encouragement, Okraku-Mantey shifted his voter registration from East Legon to Ayensuano before the 2020 elections to align with his newfound political aspirations. However, during the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) 2023 parliamentary primaries, he lost the contest to businesswoman Ida Adjoa Asiedu.
Addressing criticisms that his parliamentary ambitions distracted him from his duties as Deputy Minister, Okraku-Mantey explained that his decision was intended to benefit the arts and culture industry. He argued that having industry professionals in Parliament increases the likelihood of securing influential ministerial positions, which could significantly impact the creative sector.
"It is often easier for Members of Parliament to be appointed as ministers," he noted. "Winning a parliamentary seat would have strengthened my chances of influencing policies that favor the arts and culture industry."
Okraku-Mantey’s comments come amidst ongoing debates about the leadership of Ghana’s creative sector. Many stakeholders have advocated for professionals with firsthand experience in the industry to hold substantive ministerial roles rather than serving in deputy positions.
Baba Sadiq, known for his contributions to the creative economy, has been a consistent advocate for greater representation of industry professionals in governance. His efforts to engage peers like Okraku-Mantey reflect a broader push to ensure the creative sector’s interests are better represented at the national level.
While Okraku-Mantey’s parliamentary bid was unsuccessful, his journey highlights the growing intersection of politics and the creative economy in Ghana. The collaboration and mentorship between figures like him and Sadiq underscore the potential for unity within the sector to drive significant change.
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