Ghanaian actor Clement Bonney, popularly known as Mr. Beautiful, has opened up about how his support for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) led to his exclusion from the Kumawood movie industry.

Mr. Beautiful revealed that many producers were hesitant to cast him in their films due to concerns that his political affiliation might negatively affect sales, particularly in Kumasi, a stronghold of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

He shared that producer directly informed him that his association with the NDC was not well-received in Kumasi, making them reluctant to include him in projects. Paul Gee, a well-known figure in the Kumawood industry, reportedly told him that the dominance of NPP supporters in the region was a factor in the decision to sideline him.

Mr. Beautiful expressed frustration, stating that this situation highlights Ghana’s lack of maturity in understanding democracy. He contrasted this with countries like the United States, where celebrities openly support political parties without it affecting their careers. He cited the example of Stevie Wonder, who has publicly supported political candidates without facing professional backlash.

“We are not yet mature enough to understand democracy, so it would be untrue to say it didn’t affect me. I was sidelined in the industry, which affected the content available for my fans. There’s only one Mr. Beautiful, and no one can replace me,” he stated.

He also recounted an incident in South Africa, where he was dropped from a commercial project after the marketing director learned of his NDC affiliation, forcing him to return to Ghana.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Beautiful reflected on his political activism since 2012, noting that it has encouraged others to freely express their political support. He emphasized that political differences should not breed hatred, comparing it to the friendly rivalry between football clubs Hearts of Oak and Asante Kotoko.