From Actor to MP: John Dumelo Reveals His Strategy for Winning the 2024 Election

John Setor Dumelo, the newly elected Member of Parliament for Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency, has revealed the strategies that helped him secure victory in the highly contested 2024 general election. Reflecting on his past experiences and lessons learned from the 2020 elections, Dumelo shared how he adjusted his approach to win the hearts of voters, particularly the youth and university students in his constituency.

During an interview on United Showbiz on December 21, 2024, Dumelo opened up about his defeat in the 2020 election, which was by a narrow margin of 2,000 votes. He admitted that one of the critical factors in his loss was his failure to connect with a key group of voters: the students of the University of Ghana, Legon. Out of the 2,000 votes he lost, a significant portion, nearly 1,800, came from Legon, signaling that the campus was a crucial deciding factor in the election. This realization pushed Dumelo to focus more on the student population during his 2024 campaign.

“Legon Campus played a huge role in my 2020 defeat,” Dumelo said. “After analyzing the results, I saw that I lost a lot of votes from Legon. That made me realize the importance of engaging with the students, as they could make or break the election. This time, I made sure to spend significant time on campus, addressing the students directly and working to correct the mistakes I made in 2020.” Dumelo also noted that many students were disinterested in voting, which required additional effort on his part to convince them to participate in the electoral process.

Dumelo’s strategy in 2024 was not solely based on targeting students, though. He also acknowledged that the constituency had a large youth population, which needed to be engaged in meaningful ways. He emphasized the importance of understanding the concerns of young voters and making sure they felt heard. “A large portion of the population in Ayawaso West Wuogon is made up of students and young people,” Dumelo explained. “My focus was on making sure I understood their needs, their struggles, and their aspirations. It wasn’t just about winning votes; it was about connecting with them on a personal level.”

However, Dumelo’s campaign faced a significant challenge—limited financial resources. Without the large budget that some of his competitors had, he had to rely on more personal, grassroots campaigning to reach voters. “We didn’t have the money for big rallies or expensive advertisements, so we had to find other ways to engage the people,” Dumelo admitted. “We focused heavily on door-to-door campaigning. We would knock on doors, talk to people, and really get to know them. Sometimes, if I was invited inside, I would sit down and even share a meal with the family. And honestly, sometimes I was genuinely hungry and would enjoy the food,” he added, laughing. “But it wasn’t just about eating; it was about building trust and rapport with the people. That personal connection was crucial.”

Dumelo’s approach to campaigning was deeply rooted in his belief that people want to feel valued and understood by their leaders. By taking the time to personally engage with voters, he was able to establish a strong sense of trust and loyalty among the electorate. “It wasn’t just about politics or campaigning. It was about showing people that I truly cared about their well-being and their future,” he said.

The success of Dumelo’s 2024 campaign serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of personal engagement in politics. In a time when many voters feel disconnected from their representatives, Dumelo’s focus on direct, face-to-face communication allowed him to make a real impact in his community. His win demonstrates that with the right approach, even limited resources can be overcome.

John Dumelo’s victory is a testament to his ability to learn from past mistakes, adapt his strategy, and truly connect with the people he sought to represent. His story highlights how genuine efforts to engage with the electorate—especially the youth and students—can lead to success, even in the face of significant challenges.