Some persons in the Creative Arts sector are calling on Foreign Minister Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey to apologise to the industry and actor, John Dumelo.

This comes after the Minister while campaigning for Lydia Alhassan in the Awayaso West Wuogon constituency took a swipe at Mr Dumelo.

She said Parliament is a serious place and business and not for people who have acted in some movies and think they are popular.

She told the constituents that they will be stuck watching movies if they do not vote for the NPP.

According to many industry persons, her comments will fuel the perception that the Creative Art industry is not one to be taken seriously.

Speaking on Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM, CEO of 3Music Awards, Sadiq stated that the Minister’s statement is a very unfortunate one adding that “politicians generally do not have a certain regard for the arts.”

He stated that many of them only began seeing the art industry differently when players started the discourse on the impact of the art on the economy and employment.

Mr Abdulai said Shirley Ayorkor could have made her point or taken a swipe at John Dumelo without disregarding the creative art industry.

“It is very careless for her to make these statements. We need to continuously make it known to all these politicians that they can’t talk down on the industry. They are not bigger than the people in the art.”

Artiste manager and entertainment pundit Kwesi Ernest stated that “as a patriot of the NPP and a creative art person, this submission the Minister made is below the belt. Let no industry person try to glorify or shape it in any form.”

He stated that it is important to let Madam Shirley know she “goofed and erred” and thus need to retract her statement.

“With her exposure as a Foreign Affairs minister she should have been the person who should rather promote the industry and not make statement that would demean in such a manager.”

“She didn't recognise the magnitude of her comment. The statement is a ridicule. We call upon her to retract and apologise to the industry.”

Entertainment pundit Adu Kumi said that this is not the first time people have downplayed the industry.

“Who designs the bridge we use, the pipeline connected to our houses, who designs the rooms we sleep in?"

"Because we have not been able to let them know the day to day importance and role the creative arts industry play in our socio-economic development they think that they are bigger.” 

Adu Kumi stated that it is good there are shows that like the Daybreak Hitz on Hitz FM that highlights the importance of the industry.

He said the Madam Shirley’s comment is just borne out of ignorance adding “I will beg the people to forgive her.”

Artiste manager Mr Logic stated it is important for politicians to peak to the issues when on campaign grounds than attack people's personalities.

"She must be made to apologise. What she said affects all of us, as an NPP activist, I will not support this agenda. John is our brother…if she doesn’t see the urgency in apologising in times like this, it is sad," he added.