Mawuli Ekpe Peter, a staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former NPP vice chairman for the Nhyeaso constituency, has alleged that a $2 million grant the government intended to offer actress Mercy Asiedu for a film village project never materialised due to her refusal to submit a proposal.
Speaking on the matter, Ekpe Peter, also known as ‘Abro’, explained that Mercy Asiedu’s film village in Kunsu was considered a viable option during the search for potential locations for the government’s film village project.
He pointed out that building a film village from scratch would be time-consuming and daunting, which made Mercy Asiedu’s existing project an attractive investment opportunity.
According to Ekpe Peter, the government contacted the Kumawood actress and asked her to submit a proposal for a $2 million grant to help boost the film village. However, Asiedu reportedly declined to do so.
He noted that these events took place shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic under the leadership of the Creative Arts Minister, Barbara Oteng Gyasi.
He also stated that with the change in leadership, when Ibrahim Awal replaced Oteng Gyasi as Minister, the opportunity for Mercy Asiedu was lost.
“NPP offered Mercy Asiedu $2 million and asked her to submit a proposal. At that time, $1 million was equivalent to GH¢130,000,000, so $2 million would have been GH¢260,000,000. But she refused. Ask Mercy Asiedu whether she ever presented a proposal for the money. Nana Addo wanted to build a film village, and there was a lot of confusion about where it should be located.
“Post-COVID, Barbara Oteng Gyasi, who was also the MP for Prestea Huni Valley, was the creative arts minister at that time. She sent us to various locations where we were given land documents, and I personally delivered them to the president. When we reached Kunsu, I told my people that since Mercy Asiedu had already established a film village there, we should focus on investing in that rather than building one from scratch. Building a new village is not an easy task,” he added.
Ekpe Peter emphasised that the government was offering grants, not loans, during this period. The only requirement for the grant was the submission of a proposal.
“This was immediately after COVID, and the government was giving out grants, free money, not loans. The only requirement was to submit a proposal letter, and you would receive $2 million for the film village project. Mercy Asiedu refused. Ask her if she ever took up the offer. Afterward, Oteng Gyasi lost her parliamentary seat, and Ibrahim Awal took over as minister. With a new minister came a new set of priorities, and Mercy Asiedu lost the opportunity,” he established.
When asked why he believed Asiedu declined the grant, Ekpe Peter stated that external influences may have played a role.
He claimed that some people advised her to request a larger sum, specifically $5 million, instead of accepting the $2 million grant.
“We were in a meeting at Mercy Asiedu’s hall when someone kept influencing her to apply for $5 million instead because it was a grant and the government was offering it freely,” he said.
Ekpe Peter made these statements while criticising actors who continue to support former President John Dramani Mahama, citing his past deeds of giving them cars.
According to Ekpe Peter, the current NPP government has offered more substantial and meaningful support to the arts and entertainment industry.
“The actors supporting Mahama are saying he gave them cars. Small cars,” Ekpe Peter stated.
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