Highlife musician Kwabena Kwabena has recently spoken out against the New Patriotic Party (NPP), accusing them of manipulating his intellectual property and vocals for their own gain. The artist claims that the party used material from his collaboration with former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008 to create a false impression of his endorsement of former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia during the 2024 election campaign.
In a statement, Kwabena Kwabena expressed his frustration over the unauthorized use of his work, claiming that the NPP reworked and manipulated his 2008 project to suggest his support for their current candidate. He described the party’s actions as unprofessional and damaging to his reputation, emphasizing the importance of respecting artists’ work and obtaining proper consent.
“They picked something I did for former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo in 2008, and they went to the studio to doctor it, cut it, and did whatever they could to make it seem as if I had done it in 2024, suggesting I had endorsed their candidate, Dr. Bawumia, and that was very bad,” Kwabena Kwabena stated.
The singer’s allegations highlight the ongoing issue of intellectual property rights in the music industry, particularly in the political sphere. Artists often face challenges in protecting their work from unauthorized use and manipulation, leading to potential misunderstandings and misrepresentations.
As Kwabena Kwabena continues to address the situation with the NPP, it serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting artists’ creative rights and ensuring proper consent is obtained before using their work for political purposes. This incident underscores the need for greater awareness and accountability in the entertainment industry to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
