Mawuli Ekpe Peter, popularly known as ‘Abro,’ a staunch member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and former vice chairman of the Nhyeaso constituency, has revealed that actress Mercy Asiedu allegedly turned down a $2 million government grant intended to enhance her film village project in Kunsu.
According to Ekpe Peter, the government, under the leadership of then-Creative Arts Minister Barbara Oteng Gyasi, was seeking an ideal location for a national film village. Mercy Asiedu’s existing facility in Kunsu was deemed a viable and cost-effective option compared to building a new one from scratch. In support of this, the government offered her a $2 million grant shortly after the COVID-19 pandemic to boost her project, with the only requirement being the submission of a proposal letter.
“Nana Addo wanted to build a film village, and Kunsu was strongly considered because Mercy Asiedu already had an established project there. The government offered her $2 million to support it, but she refused to present a proposal,” Ekpe Peter explained.
He further revealed that the government was offering grants—not loans—to support creative arts projects during that period. “The government was giving out free money, not loans. All she had to do was submit a proposal, and she would have received $2 million. But she refused, and the opportunity was lost when Ibrahim Awal replaced Oteng Gyasi as minister,” he added.
Ekpe Peter suggested that external influences may have played a role in Asiedu’s decision. He alleged that during a meeting at her home, some individuals encouraged her to demand a larger grant of $5 million instead. “Someone kept telling her to push for $5 million because it was a grant. That may have influenced her decision,” he claimed.
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