The Ashanti Regional Minister, Mr. Samuel Sarpong, has mounted a strong defence over the decision by President John Dramani Mahama and his ministerial entourage to use Daddy Lumba’s hit track, “Yentie Obiaa”, as a signature tune during his official visit to the Ashanti Region.
The Regional Minister said the song was specifically chosen because of the lyrics and the message it carries, which, he said, was in line with the President’s tour. Stating emphatically on a local radio station, Hello FM, that President Mahama was in love with the song, Mr. Sarpong, virtually turned a musician during the interview, singing and explaining the rationale behind the song, and why the President’s convoy chose it.
“President Mahama is in love with the song, especially the part that says “Ye Nea Woho Beto Wo” to wit “Do what pleases you and not what people will say,” Mr. Sarpong emphasised. The use of the song, filled with insinuations and innuendos, by the Presidential entourage, has become a topical issue of discussion in the media and on the streets of Kumasi, as many interpret it as an indirect response to the numerous criticisms of the NDC administration by some Ghanaians, particularly those in the stronghold of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP).
But, Mr. Sarpong said there was no rationale behind the use of the song, except to entertain the President, who has openly professed his admiration for the track, together with the supporters who accompanied him to the various destinations. “Indeed, the lyrics are nice; the instrumentals are good, and it makes good listening, the President himself likes it so much,” he noted.
He said the President only took inspiration from the fact that one needs to remain focused and avoid giving attention to negative criticisms, especially in situations where you think you are doing the right thing.
President Mahama, during his official visit, lamented consistently about what he said was unfair commentary in the media about the state of affairs in this country, and the fact that people had refused to appreciate the efforts of his administration. He personally zeroed in on the opposition party, lamenting that they will never appreciate anything even if “you tarred all their roads with gold,” a statement which is amplified by Daddy Lumba’s hit track.
But Mr. Sarpong has jumped to the President’s defence, by insisting that the use of the song was mere coincidence, and not a deliberate attempt to taunt Kumasi residents, as was being interpreted. “I also personally think there are lots of positive messages in the song. For instance, we know this government is doing everything it can to make life easy for the people of this country. There are lots of development projects going on in the Ashanti Region, but if the people fail to appreciate it, what can you do, you must remain positive and do the right thing. For me, that is the most important thing,” Mr. Sarpong stressed.
The President, last Sunday, ended his three-day official tour to the Ashanti Region, during which he inspected various ongoing projects, commissioned others, and also interacted with some chiefs and people of the region.