I'm Using My Own Resources To Play Ambassadorial Role - John Dumelo

Popular actor John Dumelo has dismissed allegations that he was appointed a tourism ambassador because of his affiliation with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

He noted that the appointment had nothing to do with politics or his support for President John Mahama.

The Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, apart from John Dumelo, has appointed two other persons as tourism ambassadors for Ghana.

The personalities, including ‘Beasts of No Nation’ star, Abraham Attah and radio personality Abeiku Santana, according to the Ministry, will help market Ghana’s tourism to Ghanaians and the world.

Shortly after the ambassadors were announced, some persons alleged that Dumelo and Santana were appointed based on their close ties to the NDC and had called on the Ministry to explain the criteria for the selection.

Reacting to the allegation in an interview on Rhythmz A-Z on Joy FM on Saturday, May 28, the actor said that is not the case.

“It has nothing to do with that at all because if I was appointed and I was being paid or I was given certain privileges then you can say its job for the boys but I am actually using my resources to play the role as an ambassador,” he explained.

Dumelo added that, “It has nothing to with job for the boys or it has nothing to do with it because I said I like this person or that person hence this is my reward no. My reward is serving my country and that is what I am doing.”

Edwin Owusu-Mensah, Chief Director at the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts commenting on the issue also stressed that the appointment is “not job for the boys.”

He explained that the criteria for appointment were based on their huge following and influence on society.

“We always talk about our domestic tourism and the fact that Ghanaians do not travel to the beautiful tourist sites that we have in the country so we decided that we [will appoint] tourism ambassadors who will then lead the way for Ghanaians to visit our sites,” Mr Owusu-Mensah said.

He added that “You know most of them have quit a large following on social media so we are using that as one of our marketing strategies to get Ghanaians to visit tourist sites.”

The ambassadorial deal with the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts is for a year and is subject to renewal.