Entertainment
Kojo Preko Dankwa Says There’s Nothing to Show After 18 Months in Government
President of the Foundation of Concerned Arts Professionals (FOCAP), Kojo Preko Dankwa, has criticised the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, saying the government has little to show for its first 18 months in office despite making several promises to the creative arts sector.
Speaking in an interview on Peace FM’s entertainment Review hosted by Ola Michael, Kojo Preko Dankwa questioned the progress made on key infrastructure projects promised in the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto, particularly the construction and rehabilitation of theatres and cultural centres.
According to him, one of the major concerns is the lack of updates on theatre projects that were already underway before the previous government left office.
“What is even the update on the theatres the previous government was working on before it left office? The theatres have gathered dust. Nobody has told us anything. There has been no communication on what is happening,” he said.
He noted that although the current government’s manifesto promised to construct new theatres and rehabilitate existing ones, there has been no visible evidence that those commitments are being implemented.
Kojo Preko pointed specifically to the proposed theatre for the Ashanti Region, saying there has been no indication of where it will be built or when work will begin.
“Their own manifesto talked about building new theatres and rehabilitating existing national cultural centres. After one and a half years, there is nowhere showing where the Ashanti Region theatre will be built. What are we waiting for?” he asked.
The FOCAP President also criticised what he described as the government’s reliance on committees without producing tangible results.
According to him, several committees have been established since the administration assumed office, yet the industry has seen very little action.
“Too many committees have been set up. Some of the committees even conflict with each other, but we don’t see anything happening. I see that as a problem.”
He appealed to the ministry to become more proactive in addressing the challenges facing Ghana’s creative industry.
“We are pleading with them to be on their toes. We already know the problems. Solve them for us. Gather the stakeholders, bring everyone together and deal with the issues.”
Despite his criticisms, Kojo Preko commended the Minister’s decision to establish the Black Star Experience Secretariat, describing it as a strategic initiative.
He explained that the office was expected to coordinate the implementation of the government’s creative arts and tourism agenda as outlined in the NDC manifesto.
“The Black Star Experience was strategic because it was supposed to coordinate everything that was promised in the manifesto.”
However, he questioned whether the secretariat was effectively carrying out that responsibility.
“If that office is really coordinating what they said they would do, then we should be seeing visible results. If they are not coordinating, then there is a problem.”
Kojo Preko further expressed disappointment over what he described as the ministry’s limited engagement with industry stakeholders.
According to him, since the government assumed office about 18 months ago, there has not been a comprehensive stakeholders’ meeting or a press conference to brief the creative arts community on ongoing projects, future plans or implementation timelines.
“There have been no stakeholders’ meetings. For one and a half years, there hasn’t been any press conference to tell us what lies ahead. If we have all these problems and we don’t work on them, then it is bad.”
Actor-turned-politician John Dumelo has been ranked 48th out of 83 Members of Parliament assessed in Global InfoAnalytics’ June 2026 MP Performance Poll, earning a generally positive approval rating from constituents in the Ayawaso West Wuogon constituency.
The survey found that 59% of respondents rated Dumelo’s performance as Excellent, Very Good, or Good, while 4% described his work as Average. However, 33% rated his performance as Poor or Very Poor, with 5% of respondents indicating they had no opinion.
John Dumelo, who represents Ayawaso West Wuogon on the ticket of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), also serves as the Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture. He won the parliamentary seat in the 2024 general election after defeating the then-incumbent MP, Lydia Seyram Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).
Since entering Parliament, Dumelo has focused on infrastructure, education, and community development across his constituency. In January 2026, he launched his flagship “2028 Goal” initiative, promising to ensure every road in Ayawaso West Wuogon is constructed before the end of his first term. He has credited partnerships with private-sector stakeholders, including businessman Max Palasco, for helping advance some of the road projects.
The MP has also supported development projects undertaken by the Ayawaso West Municipal Assembly, including classroom improvements, road safety interventions, and upgrades to community facilities. He has repeatedly stated his ambition to transform Ayawaso West Wuogon into one of Ghana’s best-developed constituencies.
Beyond infrastructure, Dumelo has introduced several community-focused initiatives. During the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he partnered with 13 kenkey vendors to provide free meals to residents gathered at public viewing centres to support Ghana’s Black Stars.
In Parliament, he has consistently advocated for better road infrastructure, particularly in farming communities. During debates on the 2026 Budget Statement, Dumelo highlighted how poor road networks affect agricultural production and rural livelihoods, reflecting his dual role as Deputy Minister for Food and Agriculture.
He has also maintained his commitment to youth empowerment by supporting community-based programmes and local sports development, fulfilling a campaign promise to dedicate part of his parliamentary salary to initiatives that benefit young people.
The Global InfoAnalytics ranking places Dumelo in the middle of the 83 MPs assessed, indicating that while opinions on his performance remain divided, a majority of respondents believe he has performed well during his first term in Parliament.
Entertainment pundit Derrick Manny has alleged that the late Guinness World Record holder Padiki was not paid for her role as a judge in the Ministry’s 2025 Photo Challenge initiative before her passing.
Speaking on Kessben 92.9 FM’s Entertainment Show hosted by Kojo Preko Dankwa, Derrick Manny claimed that although the competition ended months ago, Padiki’s payment remains outstanding.
According to him, the late Guinness World Record holder served as a judge for the 2025 Photo Challenge and played a vital role in the initiative from start to finish.
“As it stands now, her cheque is still at the ministry. The programme has long been completed, yet she has not been paid. Padiki did everything from head to toe for the project, but up till now she hadn’t received her money,” Derrick Manny said.
He stated that Padiki fulfilled her responsibilities throughout the project, but her promised payment had still not been released.
The Ministry has not publicly responded to Derrick Manny’s claims regarding the alleged outstanding payment.
Highlife musician K.K. Fosu has officially announced his return to politics, revealing plans to contest the Akuapem North parliamentary seat as an independent candidate in Ghana’s 2028 general election.
The musician had initially intended to enter the 2024 parliamentary race but suspended his political ambitions after being involved in a motor accident. He now says he has fully recovered and is ready to pursue his political aspirations.
Speaking on Asempa Showbiz with host Adu Kumi, K.K. Fosu expressed confidence that he can unseat the incumbent Member of Parliament for Akuapem North, Sammy Awuku, regardless of the political platform he chooses to contest on.
“If Sammy Awuku likes, he should leave the NPP and come to meet me face-to-face. I am going as an independent candidate,” K.K. Fosu stated.
The highlife star said he is prepared to challenge Sammy Awuku in the 2028 election whether the incumbent runs on the ticket of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) or decides to contest as an independent candidate.
According to K.K. Fosu, political party affiliation will not determine the outcome of the election, arguing that the people of Akuapem North will vote for the candidate they believe can best represent their interests.
Explaining his confidence, the musician claimed that the NPP no longer holds the political strength needed to influence the outcome of the constituency’s election, asserting that “the party is dead.”
With this latest announcement, K.K. Fosu has reignited his political ambitions and is expected to mount a vigorous campaign as he seeks to transition from the music stage to Parliament in the 2028 general election.
John Dumelo Earns 59% Approval, Places 48th in 2026 MP Performance Poll
June 2026 Poll Ranks Best and Worst Performing MPs Across 83 Constituencies
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