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If Ghanaian political campaigns had a soundtrack Hall of Fame, Appietus would probably have his own wing.
Now, the legendary producer says he’s preparing to add another anthem to the collection.
Veteran music producer Appiah Dankwah, popularly known as Appietus, has revealed that he is back behind the mixing console crafting what he believes could become the next big campaign song for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, ahead of the 2028 general elections.
And if Appietus is to be believed, this won’t be just another campaign jingle destined for a few months of radio rotation.
He’s aiming for a classic.
Speaking on Starr Showbiz with Feeling Daddy, the hitmaker sounded confident that the yet-to-be-released song could enjoy the same staying power as some of his most memorable productions.
“I’m doing another one for Bawumia,” Appietus revealed. “It’s going to be something else. It’s going to be awesome and will stay relevant for a very long time.”
That’s a bold statement.
Then again, this is the man who produced Nana Ye Winner.
The Man Behind One of Ghana’s Biggest Political Anthems
Long before campaign songs became mandatory election-season accessories, Appietus was already helping shape the sound of Ghanaian politics.
While political music has been part of Ghana’s democratic process for decades, many observers agree that the game changed in 2008.
That was the year Nana Ye Winner, performed by Daddy Lumba and produced by Appietus, exploded across the country.
The song became more than campaign music.
It became a cultural phenomenon.
Whether you supported the NPP or not, chances were high you knew every word by heart.
Years later, it remains one of the most recognizable political campaign songs ever produced in Ghana.
How a Political Classic Was Born
Interestingly, Appietus says the famous song almost had a completely different story.
Speaking on Starr 103.5 FM, the producer recounted how former Information Minister Nana Akomea approached him with a simple request: create a massive song for then-presidential candidate Nana Akufo-Addo.
Appietus got to work immediately.
The beat came first.
The singer came later.
According to him, after hearing the instrumental, Nana Akomea asked who he was currently recording in the studio.
The answer was Daddy Lumba.
The response was immediate.
That was the artist they wanted.
The rest, as they say, became political music history.
A Hit Song, But Not an Immediate Payday
Ironically, despite producing one of the most successful political campaign songs the country has ever seen, Appietus revealed that financial rewards did not arrive as quickly as many people might assume.
According to the veteran producer, he did not significantly benefit financially from the project until much later during the administration of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
It’s the kind of plot twist that reminds aspiring producers that hit songs and instant riches do not always arrive in the same package.
Enter Bawumia’s Potential Anthem
Now, with another election cycle gradually approaching, Appietus is once again stepping into familiar territory.
He disclosed that work is already underway on a new campaign record for Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, though details remain tightly guarded.
What is clear, however, is his belief that the song has the potential to become another long-lasting political anthem.
Whether it reaches the iconic status of Nana Ye Winner remains to be seen, but expectations are already building.
After all, when Appietus starts talking about timeless hits, people tend to listen.
More Than Politics
Of course, reducing Appietus to political music alone would be like describing jollof rice as “just rice.”
His influence on Ghanaian music stretches far beyond election campaigns.
The producer has been responsible for some of the country’s biggest hits, including Praye’s Shody, Angelina, and Kakyere Me, Sarkodie’s Azonto Fiesta, and K.K. Fosu’s Number One, among many others.
For more than two decades, he has helped shape the soundtrack of Ghanaian popular culture.
Now, he’s hoping to do the same for the road to 2028.
Whether voters embrace the song as passionately as they did Nana Ye Winner remains a question for the future.
But one thing is certain:
When Appietus says he’s cooking, Ghana pays attention.
