Ghanaian actor Clement Bonney, widely recognized as Mr. Beautiful, has disclosed that his affiliation with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has led to his exclusion from the Kumawood film industry.
In an interview with Adom FM, he revealed that many film producers were wary of casting him due to concerns that his political ties might negatively impact their film sales, particularly in Kumasi, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Mr. Beautiful recounted that some producers explicitly told him they couldn’t feature him because his support for the NDC was unpopular in Kumasi, where the industry is heavily influenced by NPP supporters.
“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 of 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,” he said.
He noted that even Paul Gee, a well-known figure in Kumawood, informed him that his political stance was a barrier to being cast in films.
He compared Ghana’s political climate to more established democracies like the United States, where celebrities can endorse political parties without suffering career setbacks.
He cited examples like Stevie Wonder, who supports political candidates without facing professional repercussions.
Mr. Beautiful lamented that his exclusion from the film industry not only affected his career but also diminished the variety of content available to his fans.
He emphasized that replacing him with others does not achieve the same impact.
He also shared a personal experience in South Africa, where a commercial shoot was halted when the marketing director learned of his NDC affiliation, resulting in his return to Ghana.
“They brought me back to Ghana,” he recalled.
Reflecting on his political activism since 2012, Mr. Beautiful expressed that his experience has encouraged others to openly support their political preferences.
He likened political rivalry to sports team rivalries, arguing that it should not lead to animosity.