Although a staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Ghanaian filmmaker and cultural advocate Socrate Safo says his support for the arts transcends political boundaries. In a recent interview, he signaled a willingness to collaborate with creatives serving under the current National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration, if it means progress for Ghana’s creative industry.
“I am happy for the creatives in the NDC. Let’s support them. I support them,” Safo stated during a conversation with Kwame Dadzie on Joy FM’s Showbiz A-Z. He went on to reveal that he had even reached out to musician Rex Omar regarding the “Blackstar Experience” launch. “I called Rex Omar and asked why he didn’t invite me to the launch of the Blackstar Experience. Because I want to help in any way, with ideas,” he said.
In addition to that outreach, Safo noted that he had contacted the Executive Director of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku, offering his full backing for her leadership and creative initiatives.
When pressed about whether his warm stance toward the NDC’s arts initiatives hinted at a political shift, he was clear and unwavering: “I am NPP.”
For nearly four decades, Socrate Safo, born John Koranteng Safo, has stood as a defining force in Ghanaian cinema. Known for directing provocative and conversation-starting films like Hot Fork, Sin of the Soul, Church Money, and Love and Politics, he has remained unafraid to challenge social norms through his work.
Beyond his role as a filmmaker, Safo has also been deeply engaged in shaping cultural policy. During his tenure as Director for Creative Arts at the National Commission on Culture under President Akufo-Addo’s administration, he championed homegrown content, pushed for industry reforms, and was a central figure behind the Creative Arts Bill, legislation aimed at formalizing and strengthening the country’s creative economy.
While his loyalty to the NPP remains firm, Socrate Safo continues to advocate for cross-party collaboration, insisting that the growth of Ghana’s creative sector should not be confined by political lines.
