John Dumelo

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John Matthew Kofi Setor Dumelo
Born
John Matthew Kofi Setor Dumelo

(1984-02-03) 3 February 1984 (age 41)
Accra, Ghana
Alma mater Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration, University of Ghana, Achimota School
Occupation(s) Actor, Politician
Years active1991–present
Political party National Democratic Congress
SpouseGifty Mawunya Nkornu
Children2

John Matthew Kofi Setor Dumelo (born 3 February 1984) is a Ghanaian actor and politician. [1] He is the Member of Parliament representing the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. [2] He currently serves as the Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture of the Republic of Ghana, having been sworn into office on 13 March 2025 after his appointment by President John Dramani Mahama. [3] [4] [5] [6]

Contents

Early life and education

Dumelo was born in Ghana. His parents are John Dumelo, who was a civil engineer, and Antoinette Dumelo, a customs officer. [7] [8]

Dumelo had his basic education at Christ the King School in Accra. [9] [6] [10] He attended Achimota School and was part of the Drama Club.

He further studied Civil Engineering at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), [11] but left before completing his studies. [12] He contested in "Mr University" and won at KNUST.[ clarification needed ] Later, he enrolled in GIMPA's School of Public Service and Governance. [13]

Career

He started acting in the early 1990s in a 1992 movie called Baby Thief while he was attending Christ the King School. He was paid 20 thousand old Ghana cedis (currently[ when? ] 2 Ghana cedis) at age 7. [14] [7]

Business ventures

Dumelo is also an entrepreneur. [15] He launched his clothing line (J.Melo) in 2012. [16] [17] [18] [19]

He is also involved in both crop and animal farming. [20] [21] [22] [23] [24] [25] [26]

Engagement in politics

During the National Democratic Congress (Ghana) NDC Party's campaign In 2016, Dumelo was one of the most influential celebrities to campaign for the NDC government. Rumours have spread that, as an appreciation for his engagement and patriotism to the party, he was called and appointed by the former president of Ghana H.E. John Dramani Mahama, to serve his party as a Director of Operations for pro-NDC youth group for the NDC. [27] [28] [29] [30]

On 19 July 2019, Dumelo picked up a nomination form to contest in the NDC primaries as a parliamentary candidate . [31] [32] On 24 August 2019, he won the NDC parliamentary primaries to represent the NDC in Ayawaso West Wougon Constituency in the 2020 general elections. [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] He successfully launched his campaign manifesto for the 2020 election on 18 October 2020, promising to commit half of his salary to youth development in the constituency if elected. [39] [40] On 7 December 2020, Dumelo lost the parliamentary elections to the New Patriotic Party (NPP) incumbent Lydia Alhassan for the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency. [41] [42] [43] [44] [45]

He contested as a parliamentary candidate of the Ayawaso West Wuogon on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress, and won the 2024 election. [46]

He was appointed the Deputy Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture in February 2025. [47] He was later vetted and approved by Parliament before being sworn into office on 13 March 2025. [47]

Personal life

Dumelo is married to Gifty Mawunya Nkornu. [48] [49] He held a grand wedding at Royal Senchi Resort in Akosombo. [50] [51] The couple's first child was born in 2018. [52] [53] [54] [55] Their second child, a daughter, was born in 2022. [56] [57]

On 1 April 2014, he emerged as the first Ghanaian to hit a million likes on Facebook. [58] [59] [60] [61] [62] [8]

In October 2023, Dumelo pledged he would trek "backward barefoot from the UG main gate to Presec main gate" if Presec-Legon won the Ghana National Science and Maths Quiz. [63] He completed the walk after Presec-Legon won. [64] [65]

Filmography

He has acted in films including: [66]

Awards and recognition

YearAwardCategoryFilmResult
2010 Best of Nollywood Awards Best Actor in a Leading RoleThe MaidensNominated
Africa Movie Academy Awards Most Promising Actor Heart of Men Nominated
2011Afro Australian Movies and Music AwardsAfrican Most outstanding ActorWon
Africa Movie Academy Awards Best Actor in a supporting roleA Private StormNominated
2012 Ghana Movie Awards [80] Best actor in a Lead roleQueen LatifaNominated
2013 Ghana Movie Awards [81] Best Actor in a lead role A Northern Affair Won
20172017 Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) [82] Best Actor West Africa A Northern Affair Won

In January 2023, Dumelo was honored by the University of Ghana for his philanthropic gestures to their students. [83] [84] [85] [86]

Philanthropy

Dumelo paid the fees for visually impaired law student Gabriel Selasie Doe at the Ghana School of Law, Makola. [87] [88] [89] [90]

References

  1. ↑ "Meet the Sleek Gentleman in the Movie Industry". Newsghana. Retrieved 25 October 2015.
  2. ↑ "John Dumelo wins Ayawaso West Wuogon parliamentary seat". GBC Ghana Online. 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  3. ↑ "Mahama appoints John Dumelo as Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture". MyJoyOnline. 13 March 2025. Retrieved 13 March 2025.
  4. ↑ "Ghanaian Movie Star John Dumelo washes Cars for Charity in Accra!". Bellanaija. 18 October 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  5. ↑ "John Dumelo donates School supplies to underprivileged children in Cameroon". Bellanaija. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  6. 1 2 "John Dumelo, Biography". GhanaWeb. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Face to Face with Ayawaso West Wuogon NDC Parliamentary candidate, John Dumelo". Citi Tube. 24 June 2020.
  8. 1 2 "Landlords Will Stop Taking Two Years Rent Advance If One or Two of Them Are Arrested – John Dumelo". GhanaWeb. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 "Nigerians don't produce better movies than Ghanaians – John Dumelo". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 24 June 2020. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  10. ↑ milladosman (17 October 2015). "John Dumelo". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  11. ↑ "John Dumelo visits HCC". Heritage Christian College. 28 October 2017. Archived from the original on 22 October 2020. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  12. ↑ "John Dumelo could not complete KNUST – Chris-Vincent". GhanaWeb. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 14 March 2025.
  13. ↑ "John Dumelo Enrols At GIMPA". peace fm online. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  14. ↑ "Jon Dumelo in 1991 film 'Baby thief - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  15. ↑ "Video: John Dumelo plays 'spa with the boys'". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  16. ↑ Adu, Dennis (3 August 2018). "PHOTO: John Dumelo goes into the clothing industry". Adomonline. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  17. ↑ Ben (9 October 2014). "Ghanaian Actor John Dumelo Launches A Clothing Line – Jmelo Clothing: | FashionGHANA.com: 100% African Fashion" . Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  18. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "John Dumelo Launches J Melo In USA". Peacefmonline - Ghana news. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  19. ↑ "John Dumelo announces official J.Melo website". GhanaWeb. 9 October 2014. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  20. ↑ "John Dumelo Now Into Cucumber Farming". Modern Ghana. Retrieved 3 April 2020.
  21. ↑ "Farming Should Be Africa's Focus – John Dumelo". peace fm online. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  22. ↑ Adu, Dennis (6 December 2019). "Farmers' Day: Dumelo shows off snail farm; reveals truth about farming". Adomonline. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  23. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "My Farm Will Feed Thousands Of Ghanaians — Says John Dumelo". peace fm online. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  24. ↑ "VIDEO: I want to be bigger than Darko Farms - John Dumelo". Graphic Online. 2 February 2018. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  25. ↑ "I employ about 400 people every year to work on my farms – John Dumelo". Myjoyonline. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  26. ↑ "Multi-Talented John Dumelo: From Award-Winning Actor to Promoting Agriculture and Political Aspirations". GhanaWeb. 1 January 1970. Archived from the original on 26 October 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  27. ↑ "John Dumelo Fans Cries Out" after being appointed as Director of NDC political youth group leader by the president of Ghana". Adeecrwongist.com. 3 November 2016. Archived from the original on 13 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  28. ↑ "John Dumelo Appointed Agenda for Mahama'Operations Director". Newsghana.com.gh. 7 July 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  29. ↑ "Joining NDC has not affected my career – John Dumelo". Ghanapoliticsonline.com. 30 December 2015. Archived from the original on 2 February 2016. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "John Dumelo appointed Operations Director for 'Agenda for Mahama'". www.myjoyonline.com. 5 July 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  31. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "John Dumelo Starts His Campaign For Parliament". www.peacefmonline.com. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  32. ↑ "Dumelo picks form to contest Ayawaso West Wuogon NDC parliamentary primaries". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 19 December 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  33. ↑ "Videos/Photos: John Dumelo wins NDC Primaries with 758 votes". www.myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  34. ↑ Abedu-Kennedy, Dorcas (24 August 2019). "Dumelo wins Ayawaso West Wuogon primary". Adomonline.com. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  35. ↑ Otoo, Lilipearl Baaba. "John Dumelo wins NDC Primaries with 758 votes | Business & Financial Times Online". Archived from the original on 27 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  36. ↑ "John Dumelo Wins Ayawaso West Wuogon NDC Primaries". peace fm online. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  37. ↑ "#NDCDecides: Dumelo floors contender to win Ayawaso West Wuogon primary". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 24 August 2019. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  38. ↑ Annang, Evans (14 August 2023). "John Dumelo is our official parliamentary candidate for Ayawaso West Wuogon – NDC". Pulse Ghana. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  39. ↑ "I will commit half of my salary to youth development - Dumelo". MyJoyOnline. 19 October 2020. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  40. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "VIDEO: John Dumelo Takes His Wife On Campaign Trail". Peacefmonline - Ghana news. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
  41. ↑ "John Dumelo tastes defeat, NDC contesting results declared by the EC". GhanaWeb. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  42. ↑ "John Dumelo lost Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency to Lydia". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  43. ↑ "Ayawaso West Wuogon: Lydia Alhassan defeats John Dumelo". Graphic Online. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  44. ↑ "John Dumelo for Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency? Social media reacts". MyJoyOnline.com. Retrieved 8 December 2020.
  45. ↑ "Dumelo loses; Lydia Alhassan retains Ayawaso West Wuogon seat". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  46. ↑ "John Dumelo announces his victory in the 2024 Ayawaso West Wuogon Parliamentary Elections".
  47. 1 2 "Mahama appoints John Dumelo as Deputy Minister of Food and Agriculture".
  48. ↑ "Videos/Photos: Mahama, Yvonne Nelson, Ramsey Nouah, others at John Dumelo's marriage ceremony". Myjoyonline.com. Retrieved 4 October 2018.
  49. ↑ Amartey, Geraldo (4 January 2023). "Sika y3 d3: John Dumelo's wife pulls out numerous dollar notes out of bday cake". Yen.com.gh - Ghana news. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  50. ↑ "Photos/Video: Glitz and glamour at John Dumelo's white wedding". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  51. ↑ "My wife has made me the happiest person – Dumelo speaks after one year of marriage". GhanaWeb. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  52. ↑ "John Dumelo, wife welcome first child". Myjoyonline. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  53. ↑ "John Dumelo finally shows face of his son and Ghanaians are talking". MSN. Retrieved 1 February 2020.
  54. ↑ Aryee, Naa Ayeley (17 October 2018). "John Dumelo welcomes baby; shares cute photo of his son". Yen - Ghana news. Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  55. ↑ "Dumelo and wife happily welcome their first child". Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana. 16 October 2018. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  56. ↑ "Adorable birthday photos of Dumelo's daughter captivates social media - Adomonline.com". 11 June 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2024.
  57. ↑ Online, Peace FM. "Baby No. 2: John Dumelo Unveils His Daughter - VIDEO". Peacefmonline. - Ghana news. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  58. ↑ "John Dumelo becomes first Ghanaian celebrity to hit 1 million likes". 360nobs. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  59. ↑ "John Dumelo first Ghanaian actor to hit 1million likes on facebook". Akpraise. Archived from the original on 24 April 2014. Retrieved 23 April 2014.
  60. ↑ "John Dumelo Facebook account". Facebook. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  61. ↑ "John Dumelo is first Ghanaian to hit one million Facebook likes - MyJoyOnline.com". Myjoyonline. 2 April 2014. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
  62. ↑ ameyawdebrah.com (1 April 2014). "John Dumelo makes history as he hits 1m Facebook likes | News Ghana". newsghana. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  63. ↑ "John Dumelo walks backward barefooted from UG to PRESEC after NSMQ prediction backfired - MyJoyOnline". www.myjoyonline.com. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  64. ↑ "John Dumelo fulfils promise, walks backward barefoot to PRESEC". GhanaWeb. 31 October 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  65. ↑ Gyesi, Zadok Kwame (31 October 2023). "John Dumelo walks bare footed backwards to PRESEC after losing bet". Graphic Online. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
  66. ↑ "John Dumelo films on iROKOtv". Irokotv.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  67. ↑ Blackmoney ® , retrieved 2 December 2018
  68. ↑ End of Mirror of Life , retrieved 2 December 2018
  69. ↑ Ghetto Queen , retrieved 2 December 2018
  70. ↑ Amanfo, Pascal (29 October 2013), Letters To My Mother, Executive Image Movies and Iroko Tv, retrieved 2 December 2018
  71. ↑ Of Sentimental Value , retrieved 2 December 2018
  72. ↑ One Night in Vegas , retrieved 2 December 2018
  73. ↑ "I would still act even after I'm elected MP - John Dumelo - MyJoyOnline.com". www.myjoyonline.com. November 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  74. ↑ Frimpong-Manso, Shirley (4 July 2020), The Perfect Picture - Ten Years Later (Comedy, Romance), Jackie Appiah, Naa Ashorkor Mensa-Doku, Lydia Forson, Adjetey Anang, Sparrow Pictures, retrieved 3 February 2021
  75. ↑ "Sparrow Production shoots 'Perfect Picture' movie again 10 years later". www.ghanaweb.com. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  76. ↑ Imasuen, Lancelot Oduwa; Onyeka, Ikechukwu (11 February 2011), A Private Storm (Drama, Romance, Thriller), John Dumelo, Augustine Ekeinde, Ngozi Ezeonu, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, retrieved 3 February 2021
  77. ↑ Secret Shadows , retrieved 2 December 2018
  78. ↑ Mawuli, David (8 December 2015). "Tales Of Nazir – The Movie" Animated film starring John Dumelo, Stonebwoy et al to premiere Jan. 2". Pulse.com.gh. David Mawuli. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
  79. ↑ Ties That Bind , retrieved 2 December 2018
  80. ↑ "2012 Ghana Movie Awards". Ghanacelebrities.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  81. ↑ "2013 Ghana Movie Awards". M.peacefmonline.com. Retrieved 24 April 2014.
  82. ↑ "BlogJohn Dumelo Won An Award In Burkina Faso – And Brought The House Down With His French Speaking Skills (WATCH VIDEO)". Ghanacelerities.com. 28 February 2017. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  83. ↑ "University of Ghana honours John Dumelo". GhanaWeb. 28 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  84. ↑ Ola-Morris, Jessie (28 January 2023). "University of Ghana honours John Dumelo". The Independent Ghana. Archived from the original on 26 June 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
  85. ↑ Amoah, Geraldine (27 January 2023). "MP material papa paa: Kindhearted Dumelo gets 2 special awards from UG". Yen - Ghana news. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  86. ↑ Quaye, Grace Tsotsoo (28 January 2023). "University of Ghana honours John Dumelo [Photo]". The Ghana Report. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
  87. ↑ Mends, Reagan (25 November 2024). "John Dumelo pays over GHC10k fees for visually impaired law student". Ghana Weekend. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  88. ↑ Online, Okay 101 7 FM, Okay FM. "John Dumelo Pays ¢10,400 In Outstanding Fees For Visually Impaired Law Student Facing Deferral". okayfm.peacefmonline.com. Retrieved 26 November 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  89. ↑ "Dumelo pays over GHC10k fees for visually impaired law student". 25 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
  90. ↑ "John Dumelo saves visually impaired law student from deferral by paying over GHC10k school fees | GhHeadlines Total News Total Information". ghheadlines.com. 13 November 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
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