Five years on… Kwasi Ace laments being on Govt’s blacklist

Aug 21, 2025 News

---

…says will not endorse any political party to benefit from country’s resources

Kaieteur News – Local entertainer Kwasi Edmonson is boggled over the reasons why he continues to be banned from performing at any government sponsored event, five years after the People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) took office.

Throughout the government’s term, there has been a spate of nationally produced cultural events and musical shows, backdropped by its ‘One Guyana’ slogan, with Guyana’s topmost artistes recycled rather often. In all likelihood, the selected performers secure earnings, except the Sophia resident, who is regarded as an acclaimed and competent performer and songwriter. Who is behind it? He was asked.

In an exclusive interview with this newspaper, the ‘stupid questions’ hit maker did not waffle with words, but directly styled the government as antagonising, naming Minister of Culture Youth and Sport, Charles Ramson Jr, as the primary enforcer behind well contrived efforts to stymie his musical career.

“From the time Charles Ramson became Minister of Culture, I’ve never been on any show.”

Edmondson said even when he ‘swallowed his pride’ and auditioned for shows, the minister ensured he did not advance. Asked what inspired such animosity towards him, Edmonson suggested that it was his outspokenness on many issues. He did emphasise that his takes, whenever such were mounted by him, were not partial, i.e. he calls things as he sees them, whether it pertains negatively or positively to the government or opposition of the day.

“This has affected my life, because this is the way that I use and my means to provide for my family, for my kids. It has affected me mentally, physically, and medically, because I got ill because of this, always taking on, blood pressure rise and I ended up with a condition, life-threatening condition, heart condition because of that, because my pressure high and I’m always taking on stuff…this is my way of life, this is my craft, and somebody gonna stop you from providing, or hindering you from providing for your children, it says a lot and it speaks volumes.”

His revelations referenced a list made by the higher-ups, entailing names of blacklisted individuals. Detailing this disclosure, he said that he was hired to perform for the ‘Mash’ launch at the Ministry of Housing.

“When the (junior) Minister (of Housing) Susan Rodrigues heard that I was scheduled to perform on the show, she called a meeting and said I am not to perform on the show, and when Jumo’s name was suggested, they were told that Jumo is also blacklisted, and it was said that the list came directly from Ministry of Culture.”

Minister Ramson, he said, made an effectual personal policy that no one who is against him can perform on his platform.

Many of the current crop of performers are not there yet in status to him, he stated, but they are being promoted heavily, in addition to the overuse of a selected few. He branded it as a monopoly of friends and family.

Edmonson told this newspaper that the investments made to his craft amounts to millions, adding also that his life has been one dedicated to the creative arts in Guyana. Indeed, the singer and lyricist is also known for his characters and playwrighting in some of Guyana’s most recognised and stage plays.

“I have contributed significantly to the arts of Guyana…I’m not saying I should be spoon-fed or be given stuff because I associate with anything, I don’t.” The veteran performer has thrilled crowds on the biggest stages alongside many big international names over the years, and has tasted glory at the highest levels in Guyana. Kwasi Ace is also a former winner of the prestigious soca monarch competition, and is revered as a lyrical maestro.

While maintaining that he is not openly aligned to any political party, and also has a right to liberally express, he stressed that in order to be given the platform or opportunities, it appears as though one would have to profess allegiance to, or be affiliated with the powers that be. He is open as an artiste to performing for any event, and any political party without necessarily having to pledge membership.

“I want to live in a country whereby I must be able to speak my mind – respectfully of course, not disrespecting anybody and still be able to be given jobs or not be blacklisted or sidelined because I would’ve talked something that goes against what you were promoting, or I don’t adhere to whatever you want me to. I want to live in a country where I can be able to talk…and be given equal opportunities…”

“I don’t like the idea of being told that I have to be part of your circle or I have to endorse you or be part of any political party to benefit from the resources or the wealth of my country, the country that I was born in.”

Edmonson remains passionate about being able to speak freely, without the nuzzle of allegiance or implications on loyalty. As such, he disclosed that offers made by a few political parties to have him featured on their list of candidates for the upcoming elections were respectfully declined. He reasoned that in as much as he is an artiste, he is still familiar with the everyday circumstances of Guyanese like himself.

He dismissed any hint of a prospective change in his fortune should the incumbent retain office after September 1.

“If the present government goes back into power, I don’t see any changes coming because of the fact that my situation was brought to the ones in the upper echelon of the government, what is happening to me, and nothing was done about it. What is there to change? If you had so many years to change it, it was brought to your attention and you showed this discrimination, the whole of Guyana saw it and you choose not to do something about it, what is there to tell me that it’s going to change if you go back into power?”
Despite the odds, he noted resolutely that having endured such treatment for five years, he is prepared for any further negative eventuality.

In a much more profound sense, the Guyanese talent said he would engage President Irfaan Ali if afforded the opportunity, to press on why a definite resolution to the ongoing conflict was not executively facilitated. More than that, he would opt for an engagement with Minister Ramson, “for singling me out and making sure that I wasn’t hired; who decided to send lists to different ministries to make sure that I wasn’t performing on any platform that is government-associated, and the minister within the ministry of housing, Susan Rodrigues for also backing him up on that blacklisted list.”

The entertainer placed on record that he has nothing against the president, but did express disappointment that the president did not outright demonstrate impartiality in his plight, or even gave acknowledgement of his awareness. He did pluck out some roses from among the thorns, offering that education minister Priya Manickchand gave no inkling of discrimination, and that not all the ministers are unprincipled and prejudicial in their dealings.

“Whoever takes the office this election, I hope they govern without favor and in a diplomatic way, so that every son and daughter of Guyana could benefit from Guyana’s wealth,” the musician said.

---

• banned, blacklist, entertainer, Kwasi Edmondson, PPP/C

---