Stories and facts
John Dumelo, born on February 3, 1984, is a celebrated Ghanaian actor, politician, and philanthropist. He grew up under the watchful eyes of his parents, John Dumelo, a civil engineer, and Antoinette Dumelo, a customs officer.
His upbringing was steeped in discipline and encouragement, setting the stage for his future success. Dumelo received his basic education at Christ the King School in Accra before attending Achimota School, where he was active in the Drama Club.
He pursued Civil Engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where he won the "Mr. University" contest. Later, he furthered his studies at the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) in Public Service and Governance.
Dumelo’s acting career began in the early 1990s when he starred in Baby Thief at the age of seven, earning 20,000 old Ghana cedis (equivalent to 2 Ghana cedis today).
Over the years, he has built a remarkable filmography, appearing in notable films like The Perfect Picture and its sequel, The Maidens, and A Northern Affair.
His performances have earned him accolades, including the Best Actor West Africa award at the 2017 Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).
In addition to acting, Dumelo ventured into entrepreneurship, launching his clothing line, J.Melo, in 2012. He has also invested in crop and animal farming, underscoring his versatility beyond the entertainment industry.
Dumelo’s political journey began with his active involvement in the 2016 campaign of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), where he became a prominent celebrity supporter.
In 2019, he contested the NDC parliamentary primaries and won, representing the Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency in the 2020 general elections.
Although he lost to the New Patriotic Party’s Lydia Alhassan in 2020, Dumelo triumphed in the 2024 parliamentary election for the same constituency.
On the personal front, Dumelo is married to Gifty Mawunya Nkornu, with whom he has two children, John Dumelo Jnr., born on October 16, 2018, and a daughter, Mali Dumelo, born on June 10, 2022. The couple celebrated their grand wedding at the Royal Senchi Resort in Akosombo.
Dumelo is also known for his philanthropy, including paying the tuition of visually impaired law student Gabriel Selasie Doe at the Ghana School of Law. In January 2023, he was honored by the University of Ghana for his support to students.
In August 2023, Dumelo lost his mother, Antoinette, a significant personal loss that he shared publicly.
In October 2023, he gained public attention by fulfilling a pledge to walk barefoot backward after Presec-Legon won the National Science and Maths Quiz.
Dumelo has remained an influential figure, both on-screen and in public service, with his contributions spanning entertainment, politics, and philanthropy, leaving an indelible mark on Ghana’s cultural and political sphere.
Explore the life of John Dumelo below.
