Abraham Kofi Davis, popularly known as Oboy Salinko, has announced plans to return to active politics and contest for a parliamentary seat on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party, marking a fresh chapter in the Kumawood actor’s political journey.
The comic actor, whose growing political interest has resurfaced ahead of Ghana’s next electoral cycle, revealed during an interview on Fakye TV that he now feels financially and mentally prepared to pursue public office again after years of focusing on his acting career and personal development.
According to reports by Pulse Ghana and GhanaWeb, Salinko stated that his renewed ambition is driven by what he described as frustration over poor leadership and the neglect of communities despite the availability of public resources.
During the interview, the actor criticised some politicians for allegedly failing to improve living conditions in their constituencies while ordinary citizens continue to struggle with poor roads, unemployment and limited access to basic amenities.
“When you speak the truth, they say you are being disrespectful. Meanwhile, public funds are being embezzled while communities still lack basic amenities. We have to step in and make things right,” Salinko reportedly said during the television appearance.
The actor also explained that his decision is not based solely on politics but on what he sees as a responsibility to support development in his community. He claimed that his improved financial position gives him the confidence to focus on public service without depending heavily on political office for survival.
“God has blessed me, so if I contest and people decide not to vote for me, that is fine. I simply want to help my people,” he stated.
Salinko’s latest declaration marks his second known attempt to enter Parliament. In 2016, the Kumawood actor contested the Atwima Kwanwoma parliamentary seat on the ticket of the Progressive People’s Party. At the time, he became one of the few Ghanaian actors to openly transition into electoral politics, drawing significant media attention during the campaign period.
Reflecting on that experience, Salinko said his first political contest taught him important lessons about grassroots mobilisation and constituency politics. He disclosed that he secured approximately 1,800 votes during the election, an outcome he believes demonstrated his political potential despite not winning the seat.
“The first time I contested, I secured about 1,800 votes, and that showed me I had what it takes. It taught me that politics is about numbers,” he explained.
The actor further revealed that major political parties had previously shown interest in him after his initial parliamentary attempt. According to him, both the NPP and the National Democratic Congress had reached out to him in the past regarding possible collaboration.
However, Salinko now appears to have settled firmly on the NPP as his preferred political platform. He stressed that he no longer intends to contest as an independent candidate or through a smaller political party, insisting that joining one of Ghana’s dominant political groups would give him a stronger chance of making a meaningful impact.
“I will not run as an independent candidate. I want to contest on the ticket of one of the major parties, and I am strongly leaning towards the NPP,” he reportedly stated.
Reports indicate that the actor is considering constituencies such as Old Tafo or Atwima Kwanwoma for his next political attempt. Currently, Vincent Ekow Assafuah serves as Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, while Kofi Amankwa Manu represents Atwima Kwanwoma.
Salinko also claimed that a dream involving political delegates influenced his decision to seriously reconsider entering mainstream politics. According to him, the dream involved delegates from a major political party encouraging him to contest and assuring him of support from the Ashanti Region.
His announcement adds to the growing trend of Ghanaian entertainers entering politics or expressing interest in public office. In recent years, several figures from the entertainment industry have transitioned into active political roles, reflecting the increasing intersection between celebrity influence and electoral politics in Ghana.
Political observers say celebrities often leverage their public visibility and popularity to build strong grassroots connections, particularly among younger voters and local communities familiar with their media presence. However, analysts also note that celebrity status alone does not guarantee electoral success, especially in highly competitive constituencies dominated by established political structures.
For now, Salinko’s latest declaration has already sparked conversations across social media and entertainment circles, with supporters praising his confidence while critics question whether popularity in entertainment can translate into effective political leadership.
As Ghana gradually moves closer to another election season, the actor’s political ambitions are likely to attract increasing attention both within the entertainment industry and within the internal structures of the NPP.
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