Jamaican Dancehall artist Popcaan has been conferred with a traditional title in Ghana, where he will now be known as “Nana Okofo Akro Kese”, following a ceremony held during his recent visit to the West African nation.
The performer, widely known as the “Unruly Boss”, shared photographs and video footage from the event on Instagram, offering a glimpse of what appeared to be a formal traditional gathering in Ghana’s Central Region.
Images from the ceremony show the artist participating in customary rites, surrounded by local leaders and community members. The event appeared to follow established traditional protocols, underscoring the cultural significance of the honour bestowed upon him.
In one video clip circulated online, a speaker at the ceremony emphasised that the title carried responsibilities beyond symbolism. “We don’t do this for the fun of it,” the speaker said. “We do this because we believe in you, that you can lead us.”
The conferral of such titles in Ghana is often understood as an expression of esteem and an invitation to serve as a cultural ambassador or community figurehead. For Popcaan, whose career has seen him cultivate a substantial following across Africa, the recognition marks a notable moment in the deepening cultural ties between the Caribbean and the continent.
In recent years, Popcaan has strengthened his ties to Ghana, using the country as a backdrop for several music videos, among them One Way and Promise. His connection to the West African nation was further underscored in 2022, when he chose to ring in the New Year there, joining a growing number of diaspora artists spending the festive period on the continent.
His most recent visit also featured a meeting with Moliy, the Ghanaian-American singer whose international profile has risen steadily in recent years. The trip included a stop at the wellness and cultural enterprise founded by Hamamat, head of Hamamat African Beauty. A video shared online showed the dancehall artist touring her shea butter museum and wellness space, highlighting an aspect of Ghana’s heritage industry that has attracted growing global interest.