Ghanaian actor Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos, has revealed that the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) loss in the 2024 general election did not come as a surprise.
Kalybos said several indicators suggested that the party was not going to win the election. He cited the country’s voting pattern and internal challenges within the party as major reasons for the loss.
“With our democratic system here, it looks like every eight years, the people will bring in a new government. And it depends on how peeved people are during your last term. And we can all attest to it. This is no party bit. It was in shambles. It was in a mess, for a lot of things going wrong.
“It was bound to happen, let me just put it that way, so they would sit down and think about all that has gone on. It got to a time they weren’t really for the people. That is where I think the problem came from. And now I think they are righting their wrongs, and I think they will do better.”
Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos
He added that although he remains a loyal member of the NPP, he believes the party failed to respond to the economic needs of the people during its last term.
“We all saw what the economic hardship was. I am a full party person but when it is A you need to say A. There was a problem. There was someone who would not listen.”
Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos
Kalybos, who is known for his roles in comic films and skits, publicly declared his support for the NPP in the lead-up to the 2020 general election.
He was part of a group of entertainers who campaigned for the party at the time, and continues to identify with the NPP despite their 2024 electoral loss.
According to him, he got attracted to the NPP because of their Free Senior High School Policy. He said it took away his burden of fending for a number of people in terms of their education.
Kalybos Earns GH₵100,000 for Photoshoot
The Ghanaian actor and comedian revealed that a simple gesture of kindness towards some young fans in 2016 earned him a cheque of GH₵100,000.
Kalybos recounted how the encounter unfolded while he was stuck in traffic on the Osu road.
“One time I was in a heavy traffic on the Osu road and a car pulled up by my side and I could see he had gone to pick up his kids. And they saw me. So they were all happy about it.
“They wanted to take a picture, and the father told them they were in traffic. I looked ahead of me and realised the traffic was heavy, so I got out of my car, and asked if I could sit at the back, and I sat at the back. We took pictures, the man was just shocked and was looking at me. And he took my number.”
Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos
Kalybos, known in real life as Richard Asante, said the man later called him and explained that he mostly spent time with his children when he visited Ghana.
He added that the man shared an earlier incident at a mall where his children had been snubbed by a popular actress when they tried to take a photo with her.
According to Kalybos, the man was so touched by the comedian’s humility that he invited him to his office for a chat.
What followed was something the actor described as the “biggest free bono money” he had ever received. “So he invited me to his office, I went there, we had a little chat and then he gave me an envelope,” Kalybos said.
“Something told me that I should open it. I opened the envelope and it was a cheque. You wanna hear the amount? The biggest free bono money I have ever had in my life. It was a hundred thousand Ghana cedis.”
Richard Asante, popularly known as Kalybos
He added that he used the money to buy his second car. Kalybos is best known for his role in the popular comedy series ‘Boys Kasa’, where he starred alongside actress Ahoufe Patri.
Since then, he has featured in several Ghanaian films including ‘Kalybos in China’, ‘Amakye and Dede’, and ‘John and John’.
In addition to his work in film and television, he has also been involved in brand campaigns, and is regarded as one of Ghana’s most recognisable comedic actors of the past decade.
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