‘Breaking the 8: Auntie Bee warns against political monopoly

Ghanaian actress Auntie Bee, born Harriet Naa Akleh Okanteh, has noted how “tough and expensive” life has become lately.

“It’s so bad those of us who usually don’t talk are talking and that should tell you something,” she added.

The actress was speaking to Nana Romeo on Accra 100.5 FM’s Ayekoo Ayekoo, Wednesday, July 24, 2024.

She bemoaned how the nation, “given where we are coming from,” could not “move forward to another level,” noting, however, “were it not for God, who stands behind us, we would have perhaps retrogressed”.

“It’s tough!” the Effiewura star exclaimed.

Romeo reacted by asking if Ghana should, therefore, carry on at the same pace or seek a change.

The comic answered by noting how “successive chieftaincy stools are”.

Eulogising the late Auntie Muni, whose waakye was celebrated, she said: “Her food was nice. And so many people came from far and wide to eat. If it was not nice, people would have stopped eating it. If food is not good, you don’t keep going for it. In fact, the moment you notice it’s not tasty, you throw it into the bin.”

Moving from the proverbial to plain language, she categorically said: “Let’s seek [political] change and see how that will help our lives.

“Let’s give another leader a chance to also do his part.”

Auntie Bee cautioned: “If there is no change in leadership, it’d be like a clan monopolising the chieftaincy even when they are terrible at managing affairs. Meanwhile, there might be someone who could do better but has been sidelined for family interests.”

Calling to mind biblical wisdom, the Key Soap Concert Party star added: “It’s when we test all the spirits that we find out which one is good.”

The ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), led by Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, seeks to maintain power after two terms or eight years of President Nana Akufo-Addo at the helm. The campaign is called Breaking the Eight. Former President John Mahama is the main challenger, on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).