Being a minister of arts and culture involves more than just being artistic. Dumelo

John Dumelo, an actor and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has hinted that being a minister of tourism, arts, and culture requires more than simply artistic talent.
He made this declaration in response to calls for President John Mahama’s new administration to name a creative arts professional to the post of Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture.

According to John Dumelo, those who have the vision to promote the welfare and well-being of the creative industry—rather than just those who work in the field—should be given the ministry.

John Dumelo stated in an interview with Graphic Showbiz: “I really understand my people’s situation, but I believe that being a Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture goes beyond being imaginative.

Being visionary and looking out for the well-being of the players you represent at the ministry is more crucial. Who can equally comprehend the sector’s policies and best embody its values and objectives? That’s what matters to me, not whether or not the individual is creative.

When John Mahama initially took office in 2013, he established this specific ministry, which was formerly known as the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Arts. Previously, culture was attached to the chieftaincy ministry, and tourism had its own ministry. The arts were noticeably left out of the equation.

John Mahama’s action may have been prompted by requests from stakeholders in the creative arts sector for their sector to either have its own ministry or be adjacent to one that clearly reflected its features.

Many members of the creative industry have proposed that the sector might perform better if the previous ministers were selected from inside the sector. The appointment of Mark Okraku Mantey (2021–2024) and Abla Dzifa Gomashie (2013–2017) as deputy ministers was the closest creatives have ever been to the office of Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

Names including Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Baba Sadiq, and Rex Omar have been mentioned in discussions prior to President John Dramani Mahama’s appointment to the role.

Because of their extensive experience, it is thought that the President may choose any of the aforementioned.