The Minister of Foreign Affairs Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey says she did not intend to spite the creative arts industry with her comments against actor and politician, John Dumelo.
The minister, who is also the incumbent Member of Parliament for Anyaa-Sowutuom constituency, on one of her campaign platforms said: “Parliament is a very serious business, it’s a serious place. The place is not for those who think they can heal the sick. No! No! No! No! No! Do not let that happen. It is a serious place.
“If you mistakenly vote for John Dumelo instead of Lydia Alhassan, you’ll always be watching movies at the movie theatre”.
Her comments sparked the fury of the creative art industry players, amidst discourse on the perception about entertainers and calls for an apology from the Minister.
She, however, sought to clarify the issue in a statement on Tuesday, December 1, 2020.
She indicated that: “My comments on that platform were made in particular reference to Honourable Lydia Alhassan’s opponent where I intimated that popularity does not make one the obvious choice for Parliament. I went on to appeal to her constituents to vote for her to continue to do more for them”.
She also cautioned against misinterpretation of her words by people with political leanings to pitch her against the creative arts industry.
“Any desperate attempt by political opportunists to twist and portray this as a swipe at the entire industry should be treated with the contempt it deserves,” Madam Botchwey added.
Read full statement below:
