Accra: Veteran Ghanaian actress Irene Opare has made a heartfelt appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging him to acknowledge her longstanding support for the party. Feeling overlooked, Opare expressed her sentiments in a recent interview, emphasizing her dedication since the PNDC era when she performed dances prior to speeches by the late former President Jerry John Rawlings.
According to Ghana Web, Opare detailed her sense of neglect from the party she has supported for decades. She poignantly conveyed her message, stating, "All I want to say is, please turn your back and look at me. I'm standing right behind you. Just turn and look at me." The veteran actress also highlighted the importance of government support for aging actors and actresses, advocating for opportunities while they are still capable of contributing to the industry.
Opare stressed that assistance should not be delayed until artists are ailing, urging the government to provide help while they are strong and able to work. She remarked, "They do a lot of things for us, but they should not wait for us to get sick. Most of the time, they go, they are in their sickbed, and then the government or these big people go there to pay the hospital bills or help them. They should not wait for us to get sick or die and then pay for the funeral."
Highlighting her own vitality, Opare, at 60, asserted, "Those of us who are strong, I'm 60. I am so strong. I can work. I can do everything. They should look at us rather. If you take care of us whilst we are strong, and then we are getting something to do, we might not even fall sick because sickness comes for everyone... Help us when we are alive. Help us when we are strong enough to work. Not when I'm lying down sick."