Ghanaian reggae musician and Pan-Africanist Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi has strongly defended his decision to maintain his dignity and independence, declaring that he will never “lick boots” to receive favours.

In a passionate statement, Ras Caleb said he has never relied on sycophancy to advance his career and does not intend to start doing so.

He criticised what he described as a culture in Ghana and across Africa where people are sometimes expected to humble themselves excessively before those with power or influence in order to secure contracts, endorsements, opportunities or other forms of support.

According to him, such behaviour is often presented as respect, loyalty or networking, but he considers it a form of servitude.

“I don’t lick boots to get favour. I never have. I never will,” he stated.

Ras Caleb said his upbringing taught him to value dignity and hard work rather than dependence on powerful individuals.

He noted that his parents and ancestors did not raise him to sacrifice his self-respect for favours, adding that his connection to the Nyabinghi tradition has also shaped his outlook on life.

The musician said he has spent more than two decades working on the streets and stages of Ghana, promoting PanAfrica-Ghana, reggae and youth development, insisting that his journey has been driven by faith, hard work and determination rather than personal favours.

He warned that accepting opportunities at the cost of one’s dignity could eventually become a form of bondage.

“If you have to lick boots to get favour, then that favour is not for you. It is a leash,” he said, arguing that someone who compromises their principles to secure a small opportunity could later be expected to make even greater compromises.

Ras Caleb also expressed concern about the pressure placed on young musicians, entrepreneurs and emerging leaders to seek the approval of influential people.

He said talented young people are sometimes encouraged to go and beg powerful individuals, causing them to suppress their opinions and compromise their values simply to gain access or opportunities.

He criticised situations where people laugh at jokes they do not find funny, applaud behaviour they disagree with or address individuals with exaggerated titles simply because they want something from them.

For Ras Caleb, such practices do not represent the kind of society that Ghana and Africa should be building.

He cited historical figures including Kwame Nkrumah, Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley and Yaa Asantewaa as examples of people who stood firmly for their principles rather than surrendering their dignity to those in positions of power.

“I stand eye-to-eye. Not toe-to-knee,” he declared.

Ras Caleb outlined three principles that guide his approach.

First, he said respect must be mutual and favour must be earned. While he respects everyone, from cleaners to presidents, he does not believe anyone should be worshipped in exchange for assistance.

Second, he said he would rather keep his boots clean than have to lick someone else’s boots for an opportunity. He maintained that he would continue working with integrity and would not pursue opportunities that require him to compromise his values.

His third principle is that dignity is the only currency that does not devalue.

According to him, financial currencies can rise and fall in value, but once a person trades away their dignity, regaining it can be extremely difficult.

Addressing young people who look up to him, Ras Caleb urged them to develop their skills and character to the point where their work can speak for itself.

He encouraged them to build professional relationships based on mutual respect rather than begging or excessive dependence on influential individuals.

“Let your work lick the boots, not your tongue,” he advised.

He further acknowledged that standing by one’s principles may sometimes come with setbacks, including delayed opportunities, rejection or opposition, but said such challenges should not force people to abandon their values.

Concluding his message, Ras Caleb reaffirmed his commitment to maintaining his principles.

“I, Ras Caleb Appiah-Levi, have never licked boots to get favour, and I will die with my tongue clean and my head high,” he stated.

He ended with the declaration that he would rather stand with a lion for truth than kneel with sheep for favour, signing off with his familiar message: “IDRIN! LIVING AS ONE! BLESSED TIMES.”

Ghanaian actress and television personality Nana Ama McBrown has explained why she decided not to rely on a house help to take care of her child.

According to the actress, she deliberately chose a family-based arrangement by asking her sister to put her own work on hold and stay at home to take care of the child.

McBrown said the decision was influenced by concerns surrounding reports of some domestic workers allegedly maltreating children placed under their care.

Speaking during a discussion on Ahenfie TV with host Oheneni Adazoa, McBrown explained that she preferred having someone she trusted and knew personally take responsibility for her child’s welfare.

She disclosed that although her sister stopped working to provide the childcare, she does not expect her to do the job for free.

McBrown said she pays her sister for taking care of the child and managing the home, treating the arrangement as legitimate work despite their family relationship.

Her comments came in the context of concerns about the safety of children under the care of house helps, particularly following cases in which some domestic workers have been accused of mistreating children.

Minister-designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs and Bawku Central MP, Mahama Ayariga, has publicly confirmed his marriage to Sunyani West MP Millicent Amankwah Yeboah during his ministerial vetting.

The revelation came on Thursday, August 27, 2026, when Ayariga appeared before Parliament’s Appointments Committee at Parliament House in Accra to undergo vetting for his ministerial nomination.

During the proceedings, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor acknowledged members of Ayariga’s family who were present to support him.

After introducing the nominee’s father-in-law and daughter, the First Deputy Speaker turned his attention to the woman seated behind Ayariga and identified her as his wife.

Ahiafor introduced her as Hon. Mrs Ayariga, formerly known as Hon. Millicent Yeboah Amankwa, who is the Member of Parliament for Sunyani West.

In a light-hearted remark, Ahiafor said her presence behind the nominee demonstrated the support of a spouse, adding:

“We also have the spouse, Honourable Mrs Ayariga, formerly known as Honourable Millicent Yeboah Amankwa, Member of Parliament here in our midst, beautifully seated behind the nominee, indicative of the fact that behind every successful woman stands a woman.”

The public introduction offered an unexpected personal moment during what was otherwise a formal parliamentary vetting session.

Mahama Ayariga and Millicent Amankwah Yeboah are serving Members of Parliament, representing Bawku Central and Sunyani West respectively. Ayariga, who previously served as Majority Leader, is now awaiting parliamentary approval for his appointment as Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs.

Ghana’s film and theatre industry is mourning the death of veteran actress Mrs Grace Nortey, who passed away on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, at the age of 89.

The Sawyer, Nortey and allied families announced her passing in a press release issued on Thursday, August 28, describing her death as a moment of deep sorrow while expressing gratitude for the life she lived.

Mrs Nortey was widely recognised as one of the pioneers of Ghanaian theatre and cinema. Her career spanned more than five decades, during which she became a familiar face on stage and screen and entertained audiences with memorable performances.

She was part of a generation of actors who helped lay the foundation for Ghana’s modern film and theatre industry. Through her dedication to the creative arts, she earned the respect of colleagues and audiences and became an influential figure whose work continued to resonate with generations of Ghanaians.

Beyond her achievements in entertainment, Mrs Nortey was also remembered by her family as a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and matriarch. Her strength, wisdom and love, they said, shaped the lives of those around her and made her the heart of the family.

Her passing marks the end of an era for a generation of Ghanaian performers whose contributions helped shape the country’s cultural and entertainment landscape. Grace Nortey leaves behind a legacy of decades of service to Ghanaian theatre and cinema, as well as memories that will continue to live on through her work.

The family has expressed appreciation to friends, colleagues, fans and well-wishers for their prayers, condolences and messages of support following her passing.

They have also appealed for privacy as they mourn their beloved matriarch. Funeral arrangements and details of her final rites will be announced in due course.

The family paid tribute to the veteran actress, saying: “Rest peacefully, Maa. A mother to our family, a legend to the nation.”

Ghanaian dancehall artiste Shatta Wale has expressed admiration for President John Dramani Mahama’s ideology, but criticised members of his government, particularly over what he describes as poor treatment of artistes.

Speaking in an interview on GhOne TV on August 28, 2026, Shatta Wale said he currently has no favourite-performing minister or presidential appointee because of his experiences dealing with government officials.

“I’m happy with President Mahama and his ideology. So far, I don’t have any best-performing minister or appointees of the president. I can tell you why I don’t have any,” he stated.

The artiste cited his experience with activities surrounding Ghana’s participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup as one of the reasons for his dissatisfaction.

According to Shatta Wale, he and his team supported the Black Stars financially and undertook promotional activities for the national team, but have allegedly not received payment for the services rendered.

“With the World Cup that we did, you know we had to promote everything. We were supposed to be paid, but up till now, I’ve not been paid,” he alleged.

He disclosed that his Hotwatt team also donated $100,000 to the Black Stars, adding that his office was responsible for facilitating the donation.

“My Hotwatt team and I donated some money to the Black Stars. We gave them $100,000, and that one, it’s my office that had to go and deal with that,” he said.

Shatta Wale further claimed that his team carried out promotional activities, including social media postings and advertisements for the Black Stars, for which he believes the government owes him approximately GH¢5 million.

“For the postings and ads that we did for Black Stars, I think they owe me about GH¢5 million, and they’ve not paid even a penny,” he stated.

He also complained about difficulties reaching some government officials responsible for the matter, saying calls to a minister and his deputy allegedly went unanswered.

“You would call the minister and the deputy, but they won’t pick up the call. This is total disrespect in this country, and that’s why some of us are pissed,” he noted.

Beyond the World Cup issue, Shatta Wale criticised what he described as a culture in which government officials contact artistes mainly when they need their services.

“I’m not happy with all of them. They’re in their offices, and they feel when they need you, that’s when they will reach out,” he said.

He consequently warned ministers and other government officials that he would no longer provide his services without appropriate compensation.

“Any minister who calls me for something, just know that I will charge you,” Shatta Wale declared.

The musician also criticised individuals he accused of using public funds to acquire properties abroad and relocate their families.

“When they get GH¢50 million, they want to go and buy a house in Canada. Some of them want to buy a house in America, take their children and fly them abroad, but that money is for the citizens,” he said.

Shatta Wale maintained that he remains pleased with President Mahama and his ideology, while distinguishing the President from the appointees whose performance he says has left him dissatisfied.