Mark Okraku-Mantey and Nana Poku Ashis
Artiste manager, Nana Poku Ashis, has defended former Deputy Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Mark Okraku-Mantey, following criticism from Nana Aba Anamoah regarding his performance in office.
Ashis argued that Okraku-Mantey’s role was constrained by factors beyond his control.
In the February 15, 2025 episode of United Showbiz on UTV, Nana Aba Anamoah criticized Okraku-Mantey’s tenure, questioning his impact on the creative arts sector and accusing him of failing to deliver on key projects.
However, Ashis, in a discussion on Hitz FM on February 18, countered these claims, stating that Okraku-Mantey was an influential figure in the creative arts industry in Ghana and that his image should not be disregarded.
“In as much as we may have our own differences here and there, I don’t think anybody should try to rubbish Mark’s achievements. That would be so unfair. That’s a huge personality right there in terms of show business,” he said.
Ashis explained that some of the failures, such as the construction of five amphitheatres promised by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, were due to Okraku-Mantey’s hands being tied by the broader machinery of governance.
“Governance is a whole machine. They move together and they move at a certain speed. You don’t try to make yourself like the main guy that needs to be glorified. It doesn’t work like that.
“He said the amphitheatres were now at a particular date because he knew the money was available by then. They had gone out to solicit for that money. It had come. But then that money is not yours. It belongs to the country, belongs to the government,” he explained.
He continued, “One would say maybe he rushed the gun by putting out the information. But once the president or finance minister hasn’t actually said take this money to this sector, you cannot take it there.”
The artiste manager also highlighted Okraku-Mantey’s passion for the creative arts, adding that the former deputy minister would have done more for the industry if given the opportunity.
“The Mark that we know loves the theatre world. He wishes we had numerous theatres, but what can you do? If he had his will, he would have built more,” Ashis said.
The construction of the five amphitheaters, initially promised in 2020, faced numerous delays due to funding constraints and changes in construction plans.
Originally budgeted at $500,000 per facility, the project’s costs escalated due to rising market prices and a shift from prefabricated structures to brick-and-mortar designs.
Despite the challenges, Mark Okraku-Mantey confirmed in 2023 that funding had been secured, and contractors were set to resume work, with the projects 60-70% complete.
However, as of 2025, none of the projects have been completed.
ID/EB
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