Veteran highlife musician, Samuel Owusu has revealed he is one of the people President John Mahama has personally affected and been generous to for no apparent reason.
According to Owusu, he was gifted an undisclosed amount by the President without asking for it. This happened last year when he had had no encounter with him or asked for his support.
Speaking on Adom FM’s entrainment programme hosted by Sally Mann, the musician who has been out of the scene for a very long time disclosed how the whole thing happened.
The ‘Aboa hia’ hit maker explained that, as far back as 2024, when President Mahama was in opposition, he enquired of him from Kumawood actor, Clement Bonney popularly called Mr Beautiful, wanting to know where he had been.
He said Mahama’s search for him did not end. In 2025, after becoming President again, he said he asked the same Mr Beautiful to look for his whereabouts.
So he said last November he travelled to the Western Region for a show and on his way coming, he had another impromptu call from Mr Beautiful wanting to know where he was because he had been sent by the President to ask of him.
He said he had reached the Central Region so he promised to get in touch when he arrives in Accra.
He said when he finally did, he was handed an envelope containing money. Even though he did not disclose the amount, he was grateful that the President appreciated his works and remembered him.
The discussion of the day touched on Owusu’s long musical career and how over the years he has not been recognized by the industry especially the Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs).
He said he was unperturbed because if those who have the platform have failed to remember works, astute personalities like the President acknowledged what his contribution has been, remembers it hence the gesture.
“It was in 2024 that I was informed that President Mahama has asked of me. Then I went for a show at Wassa Akropong in November last year and while I was on my way and had reached one of the Assin towns, Mr Beautiful was the one that called. It was in 2024 that he told someone to look for me for him”, he clarified.
He continued “The caller said Samuel, where are you I am in your area? I said I am coming from Wassa. And he said when will you reach Accra? I said due to traffic so give me four hours. Truly when I got to Accra, I called him and he said our father said I should bring you this envelope that was just last November.
That is why I am saying TGMA, if they won’t look for Samuel Owusu God has blessed me and great people listen to my songs. The President listens to my song”.
Samuel Owusu adds to a tall list of Ghanaian celebrities the president has out of his own accord supported both in government and in opposition. In the past, many have testified the generosity of the President and how he came through for them in times of need.
Apparently, the President has some of these celebrities who are on his payroll where every month, he sends them financial supports as they age.
The likes of the late actor William Addo, Kumawood actor Wayoosi, actress Grace Omaboe aka Maame Dokono actor Paa George Jackson Afred Adofo (Obuorba J. A. Adofo) have all confessed to his generosity.
In June 2024, the over 88 year old Paa George revealed that the President provides food items and monetary support to veteran actors and families of deceased actors.
He mentioned that this assistance comes every three months. Later, Obourba J. A. Adofo opened up about the support he receives from the President.
In an interview with Ohemaa Woyeje, he words of Adofo, in his own words said Mr Beautiful is often sent to his residence to donate several items including money. The popular highlife singer who is now aged noted that he is not into politics or ever informed the President about his struggle with good health.
“Since I became ill, President Mahama has been sending Mr Beautiful to bring me items and add money to buy medicine every month. He heard that I was ill. I never told him about my health problem. You can ask Mr Beautiful. I was there when he brought the things to me. My children can even testify that he brings me provisions and money for medicine” he said on the show.
He admitted that he was a beneficiary of the Presidents benevolence despite never mounting on a stage to campaign for any politician or party.
In a related development, Mr Beautiful in the past disclosed in September 2024 that Mahama personally provides funds every three months for over 20 aged actors and musician, to address their medical needs.
By Gifty Boateng