The former Public Relations Officer of Film Producers Association of Ghana (FIPAG), Michael Ola, has mentioned a tall list of Ghanaian celebrities in the creative arts industry who have received vehicles from the Mahama-led National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
A Chevrolet which is being sold on the market to the tune of $20,000 (GH¢80, 000) is sold to these NDC celebrities at a drastically reduced price of between GH¢20, 000 and GH¢25,000.
‘If you google, a brand new Chevrolet is sold at $20,000, the cars are sold to the celebrities between GH¢20,000 and GH¢25,000, but the prices of manufacturing dates differ,’ he explained.
The car loans which according to him, is part of a programme by the Creative Arts Ministry and Masloc are sold to the celebrities at cheaper prices.
Mr. Ola said the cars were given to the celebrities after part payment of GH¢10.000 were made, saying the rest of the amount would be paid in installment.
Disclosing beneficiaries of the programme on Abusua FM’s Abusua Entertainment hosted by Austine Woode, he said the beneficiaries applied and the Masloc gave them the cars.
According to him, some unnamed persons have pledged to settle the rest of the bills at a later date for six celebrities.
He disclosed that the list of actors and musicians who have received some of the vehicles include veteran musician Nana Ampadu, Wayoosi, Mike Afranie, Sherifa Gunu, gospel singer Rev. Yaw Yawson, Tagoe Sisters, popular movie producer Asare Bediako and others.
He could not confirm if Bill Asamoah and Naana Hayford are recipients of the cars, saying the ministry dashed the car to Wayoosi without applying because he is bedridden.
‘Yeah its true, we started working with Masloc around 2005 or so, in which most people received car loans, we used to see Masloc cars in town, that was when the work and pay system was introduced, petty traders who lacked collateral to access loans from the banks were also supported by Masloc, …this same facility has been there since President Kufour’s regime.
So those in the creative arts industry were also considered as petty traders, due to this those who lacked the resources to buy cars were given car loans, such as Nana Ampadu after all his contributions to the music industry. It wouldn’t be appropriate for him to board commercial vehicle (trotro), so they applied and they were given cars based on deposits and the rest of the money would be paid in instalments,’ he explained.
He wondered why people are trying to politicise the car loans.
According to him, the cars were given to these celebrities to aide their daily activities, saying he is almost done with his payment.
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