John Dumelo and APlus from art and entertainment industry has won seat in Ghana's parliament

Going into the election in Ghana, many faces unexpectedly showed interest in parliamentary seats in some constituencies in the country. 

Among the candidates were persons from the nedia, art and entertainment industry, sports, and business community.

The general election took place as scheduled on Saturday, December 7. It has a fierce battle between the ruling party, NPP, and the major opposition, NDC. 

Surprise wins and heartbreaking defeats have characterised the contest. According to provisional results, the NDC is leading the presidential election, with former president John Dramani Mahama amassing the majority of the votes. 

The NDC also has a majority in parliament, as the NPP has lost a large number of seats, even from their strong holds in the country, in the parliamentary elections. 

However, some new faces have popped up in various constituencies nationwide. The two candidates from the art and entertainment industry who went into the election have won the race following the results from their constituencies: John Dumelo of the NDC and Kwame APlus, who went in as an independent candidate. 

APlus is a renowned Ghanaian musician. He is one of the newest candidates who pulled surprise in the just-ended elections. 

He has been known in the past as an open supporter of the incumbent party, the NPP. He publicly supported President Akufo Addo in the 2016 election, composing a song against then-President Mahama and the NDC government. 

He left the party on the basis of some allegations and his dissatisfaction with some government policies. 

Contesting in the 2024 election at Gomoa Central constituency, he has won the race with 14,277 votes out of 36,026 valid votes. 

He ousted Yawson Mohamed of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who received 10,112 votes, and the incumbent MP, Naana Eyiah Quansah of the NPP, who received 11,637 votes.

APlus celebrates election's victory

John Dumelo also gave his rival contender Maa Lydia of the NPP a heartbreaking defeat. He snatched the seat from the incumbent, who lost in the Ayawaso West Wuoguon constituency parliamentary race. 

John Dumelo won 40,561 votes out of 68,384 valid votes cast, while his rival Lydia Alhassan had 27,377. John has been in politics and tried to win the Ayawaso West Wouguon seat since 2018 but lost in the 2020 poll by a close margin. 

John Dumelo is a former Ghanaian and Nigerian movie actor. He is also a businessman and a farmer.