Veteran Ghanaian sound engineer and music producer, Fred Kyei Mensah, widely known as Fredyma, has voiced disappointment over what he describes as years of neglect by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) despite his loyalty and support for the party.
Speaking during an interview on Joy Prime, the renowned producer said he feels hurt that he has not been considered for opportunities over the past eight years, even though he has remained active in both politics and Ghana’s creative industry.
“Sometimes, I feel very strongly about certain things. I’m into politics too with my NPP people. For eight years, whenever they’re travelling, none of them called me because I’m part of the creative industry, so I should join them,” he said.
Fredyma noted that witnessing the support creatives are receiving under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama has left him feeling jealous.
“See what President Mahama has done for Rex Omar and other creatives, I’m jealous of it. I’ve suffered for eight years, but there’s nothing to show for it,” he stated.
He also expressed hope that former Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia might recognise his contributions and give him an opportunity if he becomes president in the future.
“I hope maybe if Dr Bawumia comes, he would remember me. It hurts me so bad. The president travels around the world and takes creatives along, but excluding me,” he lamented.
Fredyma further revealed that he had several ideas aimed at promoting Ghana’s creative industry but claims they were never considered by party officials.
“I said it to them, but they didn’t mind me. Now President Mahama is implementing it,” he said.
The veteran producer also lamented that despite being a professional sound engineer, he was rarely contacted to contribute to programmes or projects.
“As a sound engineer, there’s no day that they would go for a program and ask me to come and fix a mixer,” he added.
According to Fredyma, creatives often make sacrifices when they support political parties with the hope that their contributions will help grow the creative and tourism sectors.
“You can sacrifice for a political party as a creative person. Creativity and tourism are yardsticks for growth. I had a lot of concepts, but none of them was considered. I was neglected and it’s sad,” he concluded.
