Jewel Ackah has been unfair to NDC - Dan Abodakpi

The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), has reacted to accusations by one of its members and highlife musician, Jewel Ackah, that the party has deserted him on his sick bed.

The party which left political power on January 7, this year, says Mr. Ackah’s claims are false, because there is ample evidence showing that as a stench member; he has not been neglected in his hour of need.

Rather, he has been compensated immensely, having contributed in many ways to make the party what it is today.

The Fante singer, who hails from the Western Region, is widely known in the NDC for singing the party’s anthem, many years ago.

The former Member of Parliament (MP) for Keta in the Volta Region, Dan Abodakpi, who is very familiar with issues concerning the musician and the NDC’s assistance to him, is not happy with Mr. Acka’s comment.

He listed some of the supports extended to the musician, and added that the party would continue to assist him in whichever way possible and urged individual party members to also help a brother in need.

“The NDC will continue to extend its usual support to Jewel, even as well-wishers and friends within the party do same”, the ex-MP said.

Mr. Ackah who The Herald has gathered is bedridden with stroke, has been supported by the party and senior members and so cannot be said to have been neglected.

Last Saturday, he was reported to have granted an interview on Peace FM’s Entertainment Review programme hosted by Kwesi Aboagye.

In the course of the interview, Mr. Ackah, was asked what contribution the NDC has offered to him, but he claimed the party, has left him to his fate. He is reported to have said that aside former President John Mahama, he has literally been abandoned by the party.

His comments is said to have touched the Chief Executive of Officer (CEO) of Zylofon Media, an entertainment outfit, Nana Appiah Mensah, and so days after the programme, he donated $10.000 to the musician.

Since the interview, critics of the NDC, have descended heavily on the party, using the musician’s case as one of the reasons why, people must not associate with it.

But Mr. Abodakpi, has rejected the accusation describing the interview on Peace FM as “unfair, unwarranted and far from the truth”.

“We acknowledge the role played by Jewel in recording the evergreen NDC anthem. Over the years, Jewel has received all manner of support and incentives from the party acting through several senior members and officials”, Mr. Abodakpi said

The onetime Ghana’s High Commissioner to Malaysia revealed, that in 2009 when the NDC won back power, “three senior members Messrs; Ato Ahwoi, Kwame Peprah and Kofi Totobi Quakyi met with Jewel and discussed what help he needed to revive his music career.

He requested for an appreciable amount of money, which was duly given to him. Before then and since thereafter, several forms of assistance have been accorded to him”.

The former Trade and Industry Minister continued that “it is a matter of record that when Jewel was taken ill a couple of years ago, his treatment at 37 Military hospital and elsewhere, was sponsored by the John Mahama administration supported by several well-meaning members”.

According to the man popularly called Uncle Dan, “it is a matter of fact that during his time of need, Jewel received visits from NDC members and groups. As a mark of recognition, Jewel received special award and citation on the occasion of the Party’s 20th anniversary held last year”.

“Further to this recognition, arrangements were made for Jewel to participate in the NDC 2016 campaign launch in Cape Coast, where he received a hero’s welcome”, he said.

Mr. Abodakpi said, as a party “we would have wished that Jewel communicated any concerns of his, through the channels that have always been available for him” instead of opting to be radio, but the NDC will keep extend its usual support to him.

Another group in the party called, the Young Democrat, together with the former deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Freezones Board, Obuobia Darko Opoku, also sometime last year, made a generous donation to the musician.