Nana Poku Ashis is an artiste manager and entertainment pundit
Talent manager and entertainment pundit, Nana Poku Ashis, has added his voice to the ongoing debate surrounding the perception of Ghana’s creative arts industry, particularly in light of the comment by MP for Tolon Habib Iddrisu to John Dumelo.
Speaking in an interview with GhanaWeb’s Isaac Dadzie, Ashis debunked the misconception that actors and creatives are not serious or educated individuals.
Using John Dumelo as an example, he pointed to the actor’s intelligence and academic achievements as evidence that he is qualified for any political position.
“For anybody to become an actor and be sought after like John is sought after, it means you take your role seriously. You take time to read your scripts, understand them, and deliver prompts. That’s why movies call upon you,” Ashis explained.
He tagged the recent incident involving John Dumelo and Habib Iddrisu disrespectful, not just to Dumelo, but to all professionals in the creative arts and media space.
“It’s a disrespect to every other person in the media and creative arts business. To say, ‘Don’t go and do your acting things there.’ That means you don’t take me seriously,” he said.
He also called on established figures like John Dumelo to educate others about the value of the creative arts.
“John should have taken time to educate Habib Iddrisu. He had the opportunity to say, ‘What you are saying is very wrong. The fact that I am here doesn’t give you permission to speak to me that way,’” Ashis stated.
When asked about the way forward, Ashis criticised the way some industry practitioners portray themselves, which he believes contributes to the public’s dismissive attitude toward creatives.
“We have portrayed ourselves in such a way that most people see what we do as a joke. But there are very serious people, like some of us, who don’t take our work for granted.
“Our people need to take themselves seriously. They need to see themselves as elite,” he said.
He compared Ghanaian actors to international stars like Sylvester Stallone and Angelina Jolie, questioning why local creatives are not accorded the same respect.
He then urged creatives to elevate their self-worth and demanded that society recognize the intelligence, hard work, and professionalism required to succeed in the industry.
What Habib Iddrisu said about creatives that triggered uproar
During John Dumelo’s vetting on February 25, 2025, Habib Iddrisu advised the actor-turned-politician to take his new role seriously, stating, “When you go to the ministry, you are no longer in the movie industry.
Try to be as serious as you can to support your minister in succeeding.
This comment has since sparked massive backlash from creatives and industry stakeholders.
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