Ras Chambas, born Umar Ali Abdul Latif, is a Ghanaian media practitioner, researcher, cultural advocate, and the founder of Chambas Media. A proud son of the Chamba people, he has dedicated his life and career to preserving and promoting the Chamba language and heritage on the global stage.
Born in Kpassa (now in Ghana’s Oti Region) to Alhaji Umar Ali (Chamba) and Hajia Hajara (Kotokoli), Ras Chambas grew up in a devout Islamic household as the last-born child of his parents. He received both formal and Islamic education from an early age and speaks Chamba and Kotokoli fluently. His upbringing in faith and tradition laid the foundation for his lifelong commitment to cultural pride, spiritual grounding, and intellectual pursuit.
He began his early education at an English and Arabic school in Kpassa. Following the passing of his father in 2004, he relocated to Accra to live with his elder brother, Alhaji Surakatu Umar Ali, where he continued his education at Hannah School Complex, Madina, completing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). He later attended Koforidua Senior High School (KOSEC)—now known as Oti Boateng Senior High School—where he studied Business. During this time, he distinguished himself as the Imam of the Ghana Muslim Students Association (GMSA) and became widely known as a dynamic youth preacher across campuses in the Eastern Region. He completed his secondary education in 2013.
With an innate passion for communication and creativity, Ras Chambas ventured into graphic design immediately after high school, training at Korrow Images in Madina. His artistic drive soon evolved into a deeper interest in media. In 2016, he enrolled in a one-year Journalism program, formally marking his entry into the Ghanaian media space.
His growing fascination with African history, spirituality, and identity led him on a transformative journey of cultural rediscovery. Immersed in research on the Chamba people and African heritage, he embraced the Rasta lifestyle, wore dreadlocks, and adopted the name “Ras Chambas”—a symbolic declaration of his connection to his roots. To strengthen his communication skills further, he studied English and Arabic at the Ghana Institute of Languages.
In 2017, Ras Chambas created and hosted The African Youth Talk Point, a youth-focused program that aired on Iqram Radio and later Hikma FM. That same year, he officially founded Chambas Media, originally established as a graphic design company. Over time, the initiative expanded into Chamba TV GH, a dedicated platform for showcasing the rich traditions, stories, and identity of the Chamba people to a worldwide audience.
His mission has remained clear and uncompromising: to preserve and elevate the Chamba language and culture. By 2020, he fully devoted himself to Chambas Media, stepping back from other engagements. In his own words:
> “I will only speak my language—Chamba—if I’m hosting a program on radio or television. Otherwise, I won’t host the show.”
True to this vision, Ras Chambas only appears as a guest or panelist on programs conducted in other languages, never compromising on his vow to prioritize Chamba in his own productions.
Beyond media, Ras Chambas plays an active role in advocating for peace and unity among the Chamba people, particularly in addressing longstanding chieftaincy disputes that often hinder community development. His voice carries influence not only among Chamba youth but also within broader cultural and intellectual circles, where he champions identity, heritage, and self-determination.
Meet Ras Chambas
A proud son of Chamba.
A visionary in media.
A custodian of tradition.
A relentless advocate for cultural unity.
Umar Ali Abdul Latif—better known as Ras Chambas—is on a mission to bring the voice, pride, and heritage of the Chamba people to the world.
