Mark Okraku-Mantey, the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, has shared how Baba Sadiq, a creative entrepreneur, inspired him to vie for a parliamentary seat in Ayensuano.
In an interview on Daybreak Hitz, Mark revealed that Baba, who is the NDC Parliamentary Candidate for the Okaikoi Central constituency, approached him in his office and pitched the idea to him.
He shared a personal anecdote, stating, “Once upon a time I was sitting up here [at The Multimedia Group]. I was not a minister oo. And then our own Sadiq came to ask if it was true that I came from Ayensuano. Sadiq’s father used to be the chairman of NPP at Ayensuano. Ask him, Sadiq’s father speaks Akuapem more than me.”
According to Mark, Baba’s father even provided him with guidelines on elections. “So it was Sadiq who actually initiated this whole thing. That is why I changed my vote from East Legon to Ayensuano.
I did that before 2020 elections. So that was why Honourable OB Amoah asked that question [during my vetting]. he got the clue that I had changed my vote from East Legon to Ayensuano,” Mark shared.
Despite facing criticism from some members of the creative industry for shifting his focus to the parliamentary seat, Mark clarified that his decision was in the interest of the arts sector.
He explained that winning a parliamentary seat could potentially lead to a ministerial appointment, providing added advantages to advocate for the creative industry.
Mark Okraku-Mantey lost the parliamentary primaries of the New Patriotic Party to businesswoman Ida Adjoa Asiedu in 2023.
