Popular Ghanaian comic actor and comedian Richard Kweku Asante (Kalybos) has shed light on his decision to actively campaign for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the 2024 general elections, revealing that his involvement was driven by a deeply personal commitment to the Free Senior High School (SHS) policy.
Dispelling notions of selfish gain, Kalybos explained his motivation during a candid interview on JoyFM’s #ShowbizAtoZ, stating he joined the campaign solely to champion a cause he believed would genuinely benefit others.
[embedded content]“I’ve always had this thing with me, to get involved in something I believe is right. I believe it will serve a purpose for someone. Never about any selfish gain. Never about any talk about it. Whatever I join with NPP, I’ve never gained anything from it,” Kalybos asserted, addressing common perceptions that celebrities endorse political parties for financial benefit.
The actor recounted the significant financial burden he bore before the advent of Free SHS, a situation that profoundly influenced his decision.
He highlighted the societal expectation that public figures, once on television, are perceived as wealthy, leading to numerous requests for financial assistance, particularly for school fees.
[embedded content]“If I were to tell you back in the days when you know Free SHS never came on, the amount of school fees I pay [would] shock [you],” Kalybos revealed.
He explained that a substantial portion of his earnings went towards supporting family members from both his mother’s side and his community.
“You know, from the family side, from the mother’s side, and even in my area, my community I’m living in, do you get it? And all of it was coming out of school fees; you know, they come and it’s about school fees, about school fees.”
It was this relentless financial strain that cemented his resolve to back the policy.
“So my motive to join was to help champion something that was being put up with the free education. And I’ve said it over and over: I went in for that policy…. I’ve worked with both sides and all that,” he clarified, emphasising his previous political neutrality.
Kalybos admitted to a “little bit selfish” angle to his motivation, but one rooted in financial prudence rather than greed.
“If I can throw my weight on it to push and make sure this thing facilitates, that means I can save some money. And believe you me, it did happen. Now I could save money and start doing some projects that I’ve always wanted to do ’cause it was crazy papa. I wouldn’t get money after September, and after fees, you know, provisions and all that. So now it became something that I was like finding ways and means to, you know, sort this thing out for myself so that I can also, and then this thing came in, and then I said, okay, I want to be a part to help champion it. It’s on record there. I’ve always said it,” he concluded.
Kalybos’s candid explanation provides a unique perspective on celebrity political endorsements, linking his activism directly to a policy’s tangible impact on his personal finances and, by extension, his ability to achieve other life goals.
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