Advocating for Creatives to Become Tourism Ministers is Unnecessary

John Dumelo, the well-known actor and Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has dismissed calls from stakeholders in the creative sector who have advocated for the Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture position to be held exclusively by someone from the creative industry. Dumelo, in a recent interview with Graphic Showbiz, expressed his belief that the leadership of the ministry should not be confined to an individual from the creative fraternity. He emphasized that what truly matters is the person’s vision for the sector and their ability to champion the well-being and welfare of the creative industry, regardless of whether they are a creative professional or not.

Dumelo’s comments come at a time when there is ongoing debate about whether the top leadership positions in the ministry should be filled by people with direct experience in the creative industry. He noted that while he understands the reasoning behind his colleagues’ desire to have one of their own in charge of the ministry, he believes that the role of Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture requires more than just creative experience. According to Dumelo, the key quality for anyone to hold such a position is the ability to be visionary, strategic, and dedicated to the growth and sustainability of the sector.

He explained that a minister must be someone who understands the broader policies of the sector and can work to improve its conditions, whether through fostering better relationships with stakeholders, creating more opportunities, or pushing for policies that benefit the industry as a whole. For Dumelo, the most important qualification for the role is not whether the minister has a background in the arts or tourism but whether they have the leadership qualities necessary to push the sector forward.

This conversation is also rooted in the historical context of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture itself. Established by former President John Mahama in 2013, the ministry combined three distinct areas: tourism, arts, and culture. Prior to this merger, tourism had its own dedicated ministry, culture was under the Ministry of Chieftaincy, and arts lacked any real representation at the governmental level. The creation of the ministry in 2013 was a response to longstanding calls from various stakeholders for the sector to have a more unified and focused approach to governance.

The issue of whether the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture should be led by a creative has been a point of contention for years. Notable figures from the creative industry have argued that appointing a creative professional to lead the ministry would ensure that the sector’s needs and challenges are better understood and addressed. In the past, when the National Democratic Congress (NDC) was in power, veteran actress Abla Dzifa Gomashie was appointed as a deputy minister under Elizabeth Agyare, who served as the substantive minister. Under the subsequent New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration, the call for a creative leader continued, with names like film producer Socrate Safo, musician Kojo Antwi, and Mark Okraku Mantey frequently mentioned as potential candidates.

Despite the advocacy, the NPP government appointed Catherine Afeku as the substantive minister in 2017, with Okraku Mantey taking on the role of deputy minister. Afeku was later replaced by Barbara Oteng Gyasi in 2019, and then, after the NPP’s second term, Dr. Ibrahim Mohammed Awal was appointed as minister, followed by Agyapa Mecer later in their tenure.

While Okraku Mantey served as deputy minister for eight years, some creatives argued that his position limited his capacity to effect meaningful change in the sector. Many believed that being a deputy, rather than the substantive minister, restricted his authority to drive the kind of industry-wide reforms that were needed.

In light of these discussions, Dumelo, along with other stakeholders, is now part of a renewed campaign to appoint someone from the creative industry to leadership roles in the ministry. However, Dumelo is firm in his stance that the decision of who should lead the sector should be left to the judgment of the sitting president. He reiterated that, while he respects the views of his colleagues in the industry, he would follow the NDC manifesto’s proposals for the sector, which may or may not involve appointing a creative professional to the ministerial position.

In conclusion, Dumelo’s position underscores his belief that the leadership of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture requires more than just an understanding of the creative field. He advocates for someone with the foresight, strategic thinking, and dedication necessary to address the sector’s needs and propel it forward into greater success.