Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has expressed his appreciation to Queen Asabia Kropa for what he described as a kind and memorable visit, while praising her decades of contribution to Ghanaian culture and cultural diplomacy.

In a post on his X page, Ablakwa commended Queen Asabia Kropa for her longstanding efforts to showcase vintage Ghanaian highlife music and kente to audiences around the world.

According to the Minister, her work over many decades has helped project Ghana’s rich cultural identity internationally and given “real meaning to cultural diplomacy.”

He also praised her influence on generations of Ghanaians, noting that her commitment to the country’s heritage has inspired many people to appreciate and preserve Ghanaian identity and traditions.

Ablakwa concluded his message by extending his blessings and reaffirming the country’s respect for Queen Asabia Kropa.

“God bless you for inspiring many generations to value our identity and heritage. Ghana holds you in high esteem,” he wrote.

The Ghana High Commission in the United Kingdom has stepped in to support Ghanaian musician Barosky, who is currently facing difficult circumstances in Manchester.

Ghana’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Her Excellency Mrs Sabah Zita Benson, visited Manchester to meet the musician and better understand his current situation.

The visit was focused on assessing Barosky’s circumstances and exploring practical ways to support him as he works towards rebuilding his life and getting back on his feet.

The intervention forms part of efforts by Ghana’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide support to Ghanaians who may find themselves in difficult situations outside the country.

The initiative is being undertaken under the leadership of Minister for Foreign Affairs, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, with the stated commitment of ensuring that no Ghanaian is left behind, even beyond the borders of Ghana.

The meeting between the High Commissioner and Barosky has been described as a demonstration of institutional support for Ghanaian creatives abroad, particularly those who encounter challenging circumstances while outside the country.

The engagement also highlights the role of Ghana’s diplomatic missions in offering assistance and exploring possible solutions for citizens in distress.

The development was shared by Oswald Okaitei, who expressed appreciation for the intervention and described it as support for a stranded Ghanaian creative beyond Ghana’s borders.

“Leaving NO Ghanaian outside the borders of Ghana behind!” he stated.

Pictures from the meeting show High Commissioner Sabah Zita Benson engaging with Barosky during the visit in Manchester.

Dancehall musician Charles Nii Armah Mensah, popularly known as Shatta Wale, has called for the dissolution of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, arguing that the ministry has failed to introduce innovative measures capable of transforming and supporting Ghana’s creative industry.

The award-winning musician said he was concerned about what he described as the lack of visible and meaningful support for musicians, actors and other creative professionals whose work continues to attract audiences both in Ghana and internationally.

Speaking in an interview on GHOne TV on Friday, August 28, 2026, Shatta Wale questioned the impact the ministry has had on the development of the country’s creative sector.

“We don’t see any innovative things coming out from that side, and it’s not affecting the industry as we did. You know, actors, musicians. We don’t see anything,” he said.

According to Shatta Wale, creatives who use their talents and productions to promote Ghana on the international stage deserve stronger backing from the government.

He argued that the ministry should take a more proactive approach by identifying talented creatives and investing in projects with the potential to promote Ghanaian culture and talent to global audiences.

The musician also questioned why some Ghanaian artistes and other creatives who independently produce work that gains international recognition are not approached by the ministry for possible collaboration or support.

Shatta Wale maintained that government institutions responsible for the creative sector must move beyond their traditional functions and introduce practical, innovative initiatives that directly improve the livelihoods and careers of industry players.

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videocredit@GHOne TV

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.