By Issah Olegor
Popular Kumawood actor Stephen Yao Mawunyo, widely known as Oteele or Biggie, has attributed the absence of political appointments for Kumawood actors under President John Mahama’s administration to their generally low educational background.
Speaking in an interview on Sean City Media, Oteele expressed disappointment that no actor or producer from the Kumasi-based Kumawood film industry—despite their public support for Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2024 general elections—has been considered for a government position.
“To the best of my knowledge, none of our colleagues who openly supported President Mahama has received an appointment,” Oteele said.
“Many of us sacrificed and used our platforms to promote him, but we have not been recognized in the way some other industry players have.”
According to the actor, while several factors may influence presidential appointments, the dominant issue appears to be education.
Oteele bluntly stated, “Education plays a major role when it comes to Kumasi people. You see, they need to pursue higher education before the president can give them a position so that they wouldn’t be a square peg in a round hole.”
Oteele cited examples of entertainment personalities like Abeiku Santana and James Gardiner—both of whom have secured roles in Mahama’s new administration—as evidence that qualifications and educational achievements weigh heavily in the President’s selection process.
“Look at Abeiku Santana and Kafui Danku. The kind of positions he has given them shows that he wants to help people who can also help push the national agenda forward,” he noted.
The actor, however, did not rule out the possibility that some Kumawood colleagues might have quietly benefited from Mahama’s return to power, though not necessarily with official titles.
“I don’t trust some of them. Some may have received better things than appointments but are keeping it to themselves,” he added with caution.
This commentary comes amid a broader conversation about representation and inclusion in national governance, especially regarding influential figures from the creative arts sector.
Kumawood, which once dominated the Ghanaian film industry with its local language productions and massive fan base, has long felt marginalized in terms of state support and formal recognition.
Oteele was quick to defend President Mahama’s intentions, insisting that the NDC leader remains committed to youth development and national progress.
“The man that has come, if you look at things from a panoramic view, is a good person who wants to help the youth. He has helped many people,” he said.
