Ghana’s Minister for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Dzifa Gomashie, has strongly criticized a comment made by Tolon MP Habib Iddrisu during the vetting of John Dumelo, the Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture.
During the vetting session on February 25, 2025, Iddrisu advised Dumelo to take his ministerial responsibilities seriously, stating, “You are not in your movie industry, try to be as serious as you can.”
This remark has since sparked widespread backlash, particularly from members of the creative industry, who view it as dismissive of their profession. Speaking at the grand launch of the 2025 Heritage Month at the Channel One premises, Dzifa Gomashie condemned the statement, describing it as disrespectful and indicative of a broader disregard for the arts.
“It’s not the first time my space has been disrespected. It happens frequently, even in academic institutions,” she noted. “Why? Because you all call us ‘dondologists,’ don’t you?” she added, referencing a term often used to belittle professionals in the creative sector.
Gomashie emphasized that artists undergo extensive training and rehearsals to master their craft, making their contributions invaluable to national development and cultural preservation.
“This is ‘dondology’ you just saw,” she remarked, gesturing toward a cultural performance at the event.
“These performers dedicate time and effort to their training. Why not show some appreciation and recognize its value?”
