Kalybos reveals how support for NPP’s free SHS policy led to NLA job offer

July 6, 2025

Popular Ghanaian comedian and actor Richard Kweku Asante, widely known as Kalybos, has disclosed that his vocal support for the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Free Senior High School (SHS) policy earned him a job offer as a presenter at the National Lottery Authority (NLA).

The opportunity came directly from Sammy Awuku, the former NLA Director-General and current Member of Parliament for Akuapem North.

Speaking on JoyFM’s #ShowbizAtoZ, Kalybos clarified that the job was a legitimate employment opportunity, not a political handout or an act of cronyism.

“And you know it’s a political party, whatever it is, we’re in a democratic country. So it’s always been on that platform and through that, with my affiliation on how I helped, you know, I got to get a work offer from Sammy Awuku,” he explained.

Kalybos emphasized that he had no prior personal relationship with Awuku before the offer.

“With him, I didn’t even know him from nowhere, but then he saw what I did to push with the Free SHS and all that, and he was appointed as the Director-General of NLA. I was like, ‘Okay, this is a guy who helped us; let me also find him a job where he can make money,’” Awuku told him.

Addressing concerns about favoritism, Kalybos was adamant that his employment was based on merit. “This job wasn’t because I was being pushed or paid this amount. I was working as a normal worker there. Okay. You understand?” he asserted.

When asked about his salary, Kalybos described it as “good” but stressed it was structured like any other employee’s, without special allowances. “There wasn’t any clothes allowance. There wasn’t any food allowance for me. So, where would they come from? And I can’t wear particular clothes, you know. So all of these were something to subsidize all these bits. So to me, it was a work thing,” he said.

Kalybos expressed deep admiration for Awuku’s leadership at the NLA, where he served as Director-General from August 2021 until his resignation in January 2025 after being elected MP for Akuapem North.

“He is a good man. I mean, I’ll always give him his flowers. Put politics aside, you understand? Because if you can do your case study and get to know the changes he brought to NLA, you’ll be shocked,” Kalybos stated.

He praised Awuku’s transformative impact, particularly in modernizing the NLA’s operations. “All machines that were being used for the lottery, 1957… They were old. Other countries have evolved and brought in different things. He changed the face of lottery, and everything was just beautiful and wow. What he’s done for NLA, he deserves his…” Kalybos added, trailing off in admiration.