Ghanaian actor-turned-politician, John Dumelo, has once again proven that passion and dedication can break barriers, no matter the industry. In a recent interview with Andy Dosty, Dumelo addressed the criticism he faced when transitioning from a celebrated entertainment career to becoming a political force.
Responding to claims that entertainers are not fit for politics, Dumelo didn’t hold back, calling such stigmas “disrespectful.” The actor, who won the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), emphasized that Parliament is already a diverse space, home to professionals from all walks of life.
“I see it as a little bit disrespectful because you have lawyers, you have doctors, you have businessmen in Parliament. We even had hairdressers in Parliament,” Dumelo pointed out.
For him, the role of a politician is not defined by one’s previous career but by the ability to represent the interests of the people effectively.
Dumelo’s transition from entertainment to politics wasn’t an overnight decision. Known for his iconic roles in Ghanaian and Nigerian movies, Dumelo has spent years using his platform to advocate for social change. His involvement in grassroots development and community engagement made his political aspirations a natural progression.
Despite facing criticism, Dumelo stood firm, noting that entertainers are often sought after by politicians during election campaigns due to their immense influence.
“The same people who criticize us for entering politics are the ones who come to us for endorsements during their campaigns because they know how powerful we can be,” he remarked.
John Dumelo’s entry into politics was met with skepticism by some, but his performance in the 2024 parliamentary elections silenced many of his critics. Running on the NDC ticket, John Dumelo secured an impressive victory over incumbent Lydia Seyram Alhassan, garnering 47,560 votes to Alhassan’s 39,214 votes.
Dumelo believes that the stigma against entertainers in politics stems from a narrow-minded view of what it takes to lead.
“For me, that stigma is just one of those things. When people say it, I just laugh about it. At the end of the day, it’s about representing the people well,”John Dumelo asserted.
He highlighted the importance of focusing on the core mission of politics, addressing the needs and aspirations of the people.
Related Article: https://www.myjoyonline.com/its-disrespectful-to-criticise-my-career-shift-dumelo/
