Kwabena Kwabena Accuses NPP of Unauthorized Use of His Music in Campaign

Kwabena Kwabena Criticizes NPP for Using his Intellectual Property without Permission.

Kwabena Kwabena, a well-known highlife singer from Ghana, has been harshly critical of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for reportedly exploiting his vocals and music during the 2024 election campaign without getting his permission.

The ruling party, according to the artist, falsified his earlier work to give the false impression that he had supported their candidate, former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia.

Initially working with the NPP to promote former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008, Kwabena Kwabena made an impassioned statement expressing his displeasure. He claimed that the party had altered and repurposed his earlier songs to fit their 2024 campaign platform without getting his consent or paying him.

“They took something I originally did for former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008, edited and modified it in the studio, and then used it to imply that I had endorsed Dr. Bawumia in 2024. This is completely unethical,” he lamented.

The musician added that even though he backed the NPP from 2008 to 2016 because he shared their mission, he never felt that his contributions were sufficiently valued. However, the party allegedly went too far in 2024 by utilizing his intellectual property and image without a legal agreement.

“When an artist risks their career by endorsing a political party, the least they expect is recognition and appreciation. However, the NPP failed to acknowledge my efforts. What’s even worse is that in 2024, they went ahead to use my intellectual property and voice for campaign purposes without any agreement,” he said in an interview with NKG on OnuaShowbiz.

According to Kwabena Kwabena, there were initial discussions with the party regarding his involvement in the campaign, but these talks did not result in any formal agreement. Despite this, the NPP allegedly proceeded to use his music and voice to promote their campaign nationwide.

“They attempted to reach out for a discussion, but it never concluded satisfactorily. Before I knew it, they were running campaign ads all over Ghana using my voice, my intellectual property—everything—as if I had endorsed their candidate,” he revealed.

The artist expressed his frustration, describing the conduct as a violation of his rights and incredibly unprofessional. He emphasized that the NPP might have thought their political influence gave them the right to utilize his work without his permission, and that the party’s actions took his management by surprise.

“Nobody consulted me about this. They simply went ahead and used my vocals and intellectual property for their campaign. This is blatant unprofessionalism and a serious disregard for my rights as an artist,” he said.

Discussions concerning political parties’ unlawful exploitation of intellectual property have been triggered by Kwabena Kwabena’s claims in both the entertainment and political domains. The musician may file a lawsuit against the NPP for copyright infringement, according to some industry insiders.

This dispute highlights the necessity for appropriate agreements and moral campaign tactics, contributing to the current discussion in Ghana regarding the link between political parties and artists.

Kwabena Kwabena’s disclosures highlight important concerns about intellectual property rights and moral campaign tactics as the political atmosphere heats up. It’s unclear if this issue will result in legal action, but it should serve as a reminder to political parties that they must have the right permission before using artists’ work in their campaigns.

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