Ghanaian actor Clement Bonney, popularly known as Mr. Beautiful, has revealed that his political support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has led to him being marginalized by movie producers in the Kumawood film industry.
Bonney alleged that producers have expressed concerns that casting him in their films could negatively impact their sales, particularly in Kumasi, the capital of the Ashanti Region, which is a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP). He claimed that many producers directly communicated their reluctance to feature him due to his political affiliation.
In an interview on Adom FM’s Ofie Kwanso show, Mr. Beautiful asserted, “We are not yet mature enough to understand democracy, so when I say it didn’t affect me, then it’s a lie. I was sidelined in the movie industry, which reduced the quality content my followers had to enjoy. There is only one Mr. Beautiful, so if you sideline me and think you can replace me with someone else, it won’t work.”
Mr. Beautiful also shared an experience from South Africa, where he was brought in to film a commercial. Upon discovering his NDC affiliation, the marketing director reportedly refused to proceed with the project, leading to his return to Ghana. He expressed his disappointment at this development.
Drawing a comparison to the United States, Mr. Beautiful noted that American celebrities, such as Stevie Wonder, can publicly support political candidates without facing similar repercussions. He pointed out that Paul Gee, a well-known figure in Kumawood, had informed him that he could not be cast in movies due to the dominance of NPP supporters in the industry.
Reflecting on his political activism since 2012, Mr. Beautiful said it has encouraged others to openly support their preferred political parties. He stressed that political differences should not breed hostility, likening it to a football rivalry between Hearts and Kotoko, where competition does not equate to enmity.
