When Ghanaian rapper Sarkodie released his latest track “Inflation” many people wondered if he was turning political.
In the track, the multiple-award winning artist was heard taking a swipe at President John Mahama and his government for neglecting their duties in times of economic hardship.
The rapper didn’t mince words and was tough and emotional in his delivery.
But speaking in an interview on BBC Focus on Africa Thursday, Sarkodie said he has no political allegiance neither was he engaging in any targeted political vilification.
According to him, he but was simply showing concern over the deteriorating living conditions of the ordinary Ghanaian.
“I am a citizen so when something hits me I think I have the right to talk about it. Same way music listeners can criticise me when I go wrong.”
Sarkodie believes there is no one better positioned to advocate for Ghanaians as he.
“I have a loud mouth to talk about it, I have platforms that when I release a song everybody is shaking, media men are talking about it and that’s the idea… when I do music, you always listen to it and it keeps reminding you.”
Asked if he wasn’t satisfied with the many public assurances the President has given Ghanaians, the rapper said he would rather be presented with evidence of an economic turnaround.
“That speech is always gonna be there…if you ask me ‘what are you doing for Ghana music?’ I will always say ‘I’m trying to put it on the map’ but am I putting it on the map? That’s the question.”
Sarkodie said to the BBC his style of music has not changed.
According to him, he still makes tracks that get people dancing but if “there are serious cases that we need to address and I’m in the position to talk about and I have the chance of course I will.”
He strongly believes what Ghana needs right now is leadership not political divides.
“…don’t take it political because people think I am for a certain political party. But I was talking about all the other parties before him (JDM).”
“We don’t need parties, we need leadership,” he said.
