John Dumelo, the Ghanaian actor turned politician, has openly discussed the skepticism surrounding his campaign for the Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat. In a candid revelation made during an interview on TV3’s “United Showbiz” on December 21, 2024, Dumelo expressed that many doubted his ability to secure the parliamentary position due to his background in the entertainment industry.
Dumelo’s journey to win the seat was marked by persistent effort and a significant shift in public perception. He had previously contested the seat in 2018 and 2020 but faced defeat, with the latter election seeing him lose narrowly to Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP). However, after a determined campaign in 2024, Dumelo managed to secure the seat for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), garnering 40,561 votes compared to Alhassan’s 27,377.
“A lot of people didn’t believe I could win the Ayawaso West Wuogon seat,” Dumelo shared with the show’s host, highlighting the challenges he faced in convincing voters of his political capabilities. His victory was not just a personal triumph but also a significant win for the NDC, marking a substantial political shift in a constituency known for being an NPP stronghold.
Dumelo’s campaign focused on grassroots engagement, emphasizing youth involvement, education, infrastructure, and job creation. His approach included direct interaction with constituents, like playing video games with university students or providing free water and laptops to community members, strategies which were instrumental in changing voter sentiment.