Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie, has joined the growing number of voices criticizing a remark made by Habib Iddrisu, the Member of Parliament for Tolon, during the vetting of John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.
During Dumelo’s vetting on February 25, 2025, Habib Iddrisu advised him not to treat his ministerial role as if he were still in the movie industry. “You are not in your movie industry, try to be as serious as you can,” he said.
This comment has sparked backlash from many Ghanaians, particularly those in the creative industry, who view it as dismissive of their profession. Addressing the issue at the grand launch of the 2025 Heritage Month at the Channel One premises, Dzifa Gomashie described the statement as disrespectful and reflective of a broader issue of underappreciation for the creative sector.
“It’s not the first time my space is being disrespected. It is something that happens often, even at the citadel of education. Why? Because you all call us ‘dondologists,’ don’t you?” she remarked, referencing a common term used to belittle creative arts professionals.
She emphasized that creative artists undergo rigorous training and rehearsals to perfect thei
“This is ‘dondology’ you just saw,” she said, pointing to a cultural performance at the event. “These people train, rehearse, and learn. They go through several trainings to put up these performances. Why don’t you put some appreciation and value on it?”
The minister’s remarks add to the ongoing conversation about the need to recognize and respect the creative arts industry as an essential part of Ghana’s development.
