US rapper sparks outrage for filming music video at Ghana’s presidency

Referred to as Jubilee House, the building was opened in 2008 to serve as the residence and office of the president of Ghana. The 35-year-old Philadelphia native was in Ghana last month to perform at the Afro Nation Ghana festival in Accra, and paid a courtesy call on President Nana Akufo-Addo when he arrived in the country.

Meek Mill shared a teaser video on socials Sunday that shows the musician performing with his entourage at various locations on the premises, including behind the presidential lectern. It also appeared that a drone was used during the shoot. The video clip was removed shortly after it was posted. 

“[I] appreciate meeting strong black leaders,” Meek Mill said after he was received at the presidency. “It gives me the motivation to be greater.” On his part, Akufo-Addo asked the artist to leverage the possibilities that visits to Ghana present all parties involved.

Meek Mill’s video project, which critics describe as unacceptable, has also resulted in disapproval of the Akufo-Addo government over lack of leadership and pandering to the diaspora community. Many have also raised concerns about the security implications of the action.

“I think the president is already tired and may possibly hand over power if he is asked nicely,” 3Media Networks founder Sadiq Abdulai Abu said. “What’s this – a rapper who has since fallen off, flies a drone over the seat of the presidency?”

“Why are we allowing this?” Rita Mensah, a journalist with Citi FM, said. “Can Meek Mill shoot a music video in the White House? What a country! We have given these guys too much liberty they don’t even have in their country.”

Broadcaster Emmanuel Sarpong added: “Director of Diaspora Affairs & Minister of Interior, y’all really have questions to answer for that Meek Mill video. How’s a drone being flown over the Jubilee House? You can’t even shoot a photo at the Independence Square and not get jumped at by security.”

In a subsequent tweet, Sarpong lamented: “Creatives would embark on personal projects to shoot photos/videos at some of our national landmarks and they’re being harassed to the extent of being brutalised by some members of our security agencies stationed there. There’s a whole music video shot at the Jubilee House.”

Elikem Kotoko, a commentator with the opposition National Democratic Congress party, wrote: “How much did Meek Mill pay to the Ghanaian government to shoot this music video at the seat of government, and if he didn’t pay a dime can other Ghanaian artists be allowed to do the same?”

Meek Mill was part of a big group of American celebrities who were in Ghana for the December celebrations, which have become popular since 2019 when Akufo-Addo launched the Year of Return, an initiative inviting members of the African diaspora to reconnect with their roots 400 years after the first African slaves were shipped to America. The campaign reportedly welcomed about 1.5 million tourists to the country.

Many celebrities returning to Ghana since then have been received by the president himself as part of efforts to shore up tourism and foreign investment into the country. In 2020, Ghana’s Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture announced Beyond the Return, a 10-year successor initiative.

Meanwhile, the government has yet to comment on the Meek Mill development.