Highlife legend wades into celebrities in politics debate

daniel russell

February 11, 2016 10:07 AM

Speaking on Hitz FM’s Daybreak Hitz on Wednesday, Rex Omar noted that just as everyone has a choice in life, musicians also do.

Rex Omar with his guitar

Ghanaian highlife artiste, Rex Omar has stated that he sees nothing wrong with showbiz personalities either contesting in elections, declaring their support for a candidate or a political party.

“Musicians are also nationals so we should try and differentiate between national politics and partisan politics. Ones you are a citizen, you pay taxes, utilities etc., you are part of the society. So if you love anything positive to contribute on governance, why not?” he queried.

“Any artiste who believes in what he does shouldn’t be afraid of whatever. Your thinking is your painting. If I know you have a good character and you can help the country, what is wrong with me telling the whole world that you can help?” he questioned again.

Asked if it was safe for celebrities to go into politics considering how it has been branded as a “dirty game”, Rex Omar responded, “Who has made it a dirty game? If politics is a dirty game, then everybody is dirty because even in your house, there is politics. The people who make politics dirty are dirty people. I don’t believe that politics is a dirty game. When people have dirty minds and they come into politics, then they make it dirty.

In most cases, celebrities who declare their support for political parties or candidates are verbally assaulted by some members of the opposing party who may even be fans of the celebrity in question. Rex Omar condemning the act stated that celebrities should not only be respected for the works but choices.

“Ghanaians need a lot of education. Everybody who believes in a particular artiste sometimes does not necessarily respect the artiste; they love his work. You cannot at one point say you are a fan and at another side say I have made a personal decision [so you have an issue with me]. Don’t these fans have their political lineages? They have the right of choice but the artiste doesn’t? I don’t believe this is right,” he noted.

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daniel russell