President of the Creative Arts Agency, Mark Okraku Mantey says he is thankful for the many recommendations he has received for a ministerial position at the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.
Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, he revealed that he was taken aback by the level of support industry persons showed him prior to the appointment of the Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture.
He stated that contrary to the notion that people in the Creative Arts industry are not supportive of each other, with the massive endorsements from people across the industry including NDC supporters Sadiq Abdulai and Rex Omar, Mr Okraku Mantey believes the “industry is gradually becoming [a supportive] one.”
“They all support me. You’ve seen how people have supported me, showed me love,” he added.
Commenting on the push for a ministerial position for him, he believes that although he has the necessary qualifications to hold that position, the ball lies firmly in the President’s court.
“I hear the President is looking for somebody who will take the creative part of the ministry and that’s why people are pushing for me.”
“I qualify to be that person but again, the power is not in my hands, the president means well so every decision he’d take, I’ll accept because he means well,” Mr Okraku Mantey added.
He told Andy Dosty, host of the show, that he knows President Akufo-Addo has good plans for the industry and as a practitioner of the industry, he is ready to accept any decision he makes.
Although he was not nominated as the substantive Minister, some industry persons are hoping Mr Okraku Mantey will be appointed as Deputy Minister.
As much as some people in the Creative Arts industry are excited about the prospects of having the former artiste manager in that position, others are not as enthusiastic about it.
Musician and radio show host Blakk Rasta said on Showbiz A-Z that Mark Okraku Mantey is someone he cannot trust to lead the industry.
The singer said it would be good to see new faces who are equally or more equipped to take over the reins from Madam Babara Oteng Gyasi.
“I will rule out Mark Okraku Mantey totally, he is a guy I don’t trust. Obour is a nice person but I cannot be sure about how he handles money,” Blakk Rasta had said.
Also, radio show host and movie producer Ola Micheals has said Mark Okraku Mantey is not the best person for the job.
Responding to these comments on Hitz FM Mark said Mr Okraku Mantey was not worried about these opinions especially since everyone has a right to suggest or have an opinion.
Currently, former Business Development Minister Dr Mohammed Awal is the Minister-designate for Tourism Arts and Culture.
Source: MyJoyOnline.com