Nigerian actor and filmmaker Ramsey Nouah has spoken highly of Kumasi, describing the Ashanti Regional capital as a vibrant city filled with hardworking, entrepreneurial and down-to-earth people.

Nouah shared his observations during an interview on Angel FM after arriving in Kumasi to feature in an upcoming movie by Ghanaian actor and comedian Kwadwo Nkansah Lil Win.

The veteran actor said he was impressed by the atmosphere in Kumasi and the energy of its residents. He likened the city to major Nigerian cities, particularly Lagos and Abuja, based on the different characteristics he has observed.

“Kumasi is lovely. People are awesome. The energy here is quite something — it’s almost like Lagos and Abuja,” he said.

Explaining the comparison, Nouah described Lagos as a city largely driven by hustlers, business-minded individuals and entrepreneurs who are constantly looking for opportunities to make a living and build businesses.

He contrasted this with Abuja, which he said is more associated with people who have already attained considerable financial success and enjoy what he described as the lifestyle of the “big boys.”

“Lagos is the hustlers’ place. Abuja is where people are eating, enjoying the big money and acting like they are the big boys. Lagos is more like the entrepreneurs. It feels like the same thing here,” Nouah explained.

According to him, Kumasi’s entrepreneurial nature reminds him more of Lagos because of the strong sense of hustle and business among the people he has encountered.

The actor also compared Kumasi with Ghana’s capital, Accra, particularly in terms of the attitude and lifestyle of residents.

Asked whether he preferred the more relaxed atmosphere he had experienced in Kumasi, Nouah agreed and said people in the Ashanti Regional capital appeared to be more down-to-earth than those in Accra.

“People are more down-to-earth here in Kumasi than in Accra, based on the experience,” he stated.

His comments come during a visit to Kumasi to join the cast of an upcoming production by Lil Win. His participation in the project adds to the growing collaboration between Ghanaian and Nigerian actors and
filmmakers.

https://x.com/askghmedia/status/2088164753600377161?s=20

Four-time Ghana Comedy Awards Stand-Up Comedian of the Year winner Lekzy Decomic has called on the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to reconsider the tax regime applied to comedy shows, arguing that the 21 per cent tax charged on ticket sales is too high for Ghana’s developing comedy industry.

In an interview with Graphic Showbiz, the comedian, born Emmanuel Lekzy, said comedy should not be taxed in the same manner as more established industries because promoters and performers are still investing heavily to build the sector.

According to him, comedians and event organisers are willing to meet their tax obligations, but the current rate places an unnecessary financial burden on an industry that is still trying to establish itself.

“We are not saying we will not pay taxes because we understand it is our responsibility, but the percentage charged on ticket sales is quite outrageous.”

Lekzy believes a reduction or review of the tax burden would encourage more people to organise comedy events, attract more investment and, in the long run, increase government revenue as the industry expands.

He also urged authorities to recognise the role comedians can play in promoting Ghana internationally. He suggested that comedians and other creatives should be included in presidential trips abroad to help showcase Ghanaian culture, tourism and stories.

Drawing on Ghana’s history, Lekzy noted that Dr Kwame Nkrumah was known to involve creatives in international engagements and argued that comedians are particularly effective cultural ambassadors because of their ability to tell stories in an entertaining and relatable manner.

“Nobody can propagate the culture of any country better than comedians,” he said, adding that comedians could help promote Ghana’s tourism narrative and positively present the country’s story.

Reflecting on his own career, Lekzy said comedy has opened doors for him that his academic background in graphic design might not have provided.

He explained that his success in comedy has given him access to opportunities, influential people and spaces he may not have encountered had he remained solely in his original profession.

On whether comedians today have an easier path to success compared with previous generations, Lekzy said the demands of the profession remain largely unchanged despite the influence of social media.

He noted that comedians still have to build their careers through live performances, although social media has made it easier for them to reach audiences in Ghana and abroad.

While he could not speak extensively about the earnings of comedians in the 1980s and 1990s, Lekzy acknowledged that there has been some improvement in the industry over the years.

Source:Graphic Online

Ghanaian dancehall star Stonebwoy has called for a stronger effort to promote the achievements of Ghanaian musicians internationally, arguing that the country’s music industry spends too much time focusing on competition rather than celebrating its own successes.

The award-winning musician believes Ghana has a wealth of musical talent and a rich cultural heritage capable of making a major impact on the global music scene. However, he said more deliberate efforts are needed to package, promote and export Ghanaian music to international audiences.

Speaking on the BBC’s This Is Africa show, Stonebwoy stressed the need for the industry to tell more positive stories about Ghanaian musicians and their achievements.

According to him, positive developments within Ghana’s creative sector often receive far less attention than negative stories, creating an imbalance in the way the country’s music industry is perceived.

“We need to work on positive news 10 times more than work on negative news. It flies. People create something anyway,” he said.

Stonebwoy believes the continued emphasis on negative developments has, over time, overshadowed the progress and talent within Ghana’s music scene.

“So I think that energy has actually darkened or has actually shone over the Ghanaian scene for too long,” he stated.

He further argued that Ghanaian musicians and industry stakeholders should focus more on building and promoting their own achievements instead of constantly measuring themselves against competitors.

Stonebwoy pointed to Nigeria as an example of how a country can effectively use publicity to strengthen the global image of its music industry.

He explained that when a Nigerian artiste achieves a major international milestone, the achievement is often immediately amplified through extensive publicity and comparisons with other globally recognised artistes who have reached similar heights.

“When a Nigerian wins an iHeart, you and I know how that is going to gain PR immediately,” Stonebwoy said.

He added that such achievements are usually placed within a broader conversation about the significance of the award and the artiste’s contribution to Nigeria’s growing international influence.

“It’s going to be compared to all of the people who have won iHearts and what an iHeart is and how solid it is,” he added.

Stonebwoy said Ghana’s approach can sometimes create the impression that its musicians are not making significant progress, even though the country continues to produce artistes whose work has influenced audiences across Africa and beyond.

“So it is always like, are we Ghanaians not moving enough? Meanwhile, we have some beautiful talents,” he said.

The musician also placed the issue within Ghana’s wider historical influence on the African continent. He referenced Ghana’s independence and the legacy of the country’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, arguing that Ghana has historically played an influential role in inspiring developments across Africa.

However, he believes the country has not always done enough to project and celebrate its own achievements.

“We’ve always probably allowed too much overfocusing on the competition and overfocusing on the other stuff that is supposed to be in the minority,” Stonebwoy noted.

For him, the solution is not simply to compete with other African music industries but to put in the necessary work while deliberately creating a stronger narrative around Ghanaian successes.

Stonebwoy’s comments come as he prepares for another major international milestone. He is scheduled to headline the BHIM Festival on August 15, 2026, marking his first headline performance at OVO Arena Wembley in London.

The event is expected to further showcase Ghanaian music and culture to an international audience, adding to Stonebwoy’s growing presence on the global stage.

Source:Pulse

Ghanaian dancehall musician Stonebwoy has come to the defence of Ghanaian men following claims that they are stingy when it comes to spending on women.

According to the award-winning musician, what is often described as stinginess may rather be a result of Ghanaian men carefully assessing their finances before deciding how much they can afford to spend.

Stonebwoy made the remarks during a recent interview after the host mentioned “egg, big bum and stingy” among some of the things commonly associated with Ghanaian men.

Responding to the issue of men being labelled stingy, Stonebwoy explained that Ghanaian men are simply good with numbers and tend to calculate their expenses before committing their money.

“On the stingy part, oh my days. You know? The Ghanaian boys are good at maths,” he said.

He added that a Ghanaian man may calculate how much he has available, compare it with what is being requested and then decide whether he can afford it.

“So maybe when they’re calculating the amount, you know, against how, you know, it gets to them, but the promise is big.”

Stonebwoy, however, encouraged Ghanaian men to be truthful with women about their financial circumstances instead of making promises they may struggle to fulfil.

He said being honest from the beginning can help men earn greater respect and prevent them from putting themselves under unnecessary financial pressure.

The musician also used an example of a man promising a woman an expensive boat ride without having enough money to pay for it. He noted that such actions can create problems for other Ghanaian men by raising expectations.

“You see, this is what I tell my Ghana boys: be honest. Be honest, you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

Stonebwoy further explained that if a man promises a woman something special, he should make every effort to honour his word.

Using a boat trip as an example, he said a man who tells a woman he will take her on a boat should ensure that he has made the necessary arrangements before making the promise.

“When you say, ‘Oh, I’ll take you on a boat,’ you make sure you book the boat. You make sure you put your last money onto it because she’s special to you; you treat her specially,” he said.

The musician also compared Ghanaian and Nigerian men in terms of their approach to spending on women.

According to Stonebwoy, Nigerian men are often more willing to go all out financially for women, even when they may later regret the amount they have spent.

“The Nigerian boys too, they have heart. Let me tell you, Nigerians, they get liver.”

He explained that the expression referred to Nigerian men being more daring and willing to take financial risks when it comes to relationships.

Stonebwoy stressed, however, that spending money on someone you love is ultimately a personal decision. He said people should be prepared to spend within their means on things that genuinely make them happy.

“So it’s a choice if you want to spend all your money and go broke on that person that you love. I bet you it’s a good thing. Because you must do something that your heart pleases,” he said.

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The elder daughter of late Ghanaian actress Beverly Afaglo, Violin Bless Ayebea Boadu Baah, has expressed profound gratitude to Ghanaians for the overwhelming love, prayers and support extended to her family following the actress’ death and funeral.

Violin shared the emotional message in a video posted by her father, musician Choirmaster, as she reflected on the difficult period the family has endured since the passing of her mother.

According to her, the kindness and encouragement shown by the public brought the family comfort and strength at a time when they were struggling with grief.

“Your love, kindness, prayers and support meant more to us than words can express. It was a very difficult time, but having you by our side brought us comfort and strength,” she said.

She also acknowledged the efforts of individuals who stood by the family throughout the mourning period, saying their gestures would remain deeply appreciated.

“We truly appreciate everything you did for us, and we’ll always be grateful,” Violin added.

Beverly Afaglo was laid to rest on Saturday, August 8, 2026, after a funeral ceremony that brought together family members, friends, colleagues in the entertainment industry and well-wishers who gathered to celebrate her life and legacy.

The actress’ passing had drawn widespread attention and sympathy from across Ghana’s entertainment industry and beyond.

As the family continues to come to terms with the loss, Violin concluded her message with a prayer for everyone who supported them during the difficult period.

“May God bless you abundantly,” she said.

https://www.tiktok.com/@choirmastergh/video/7673189014458895646?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc