Ghanaian comedian Jacinta Ocansey recently shared her journey in comedy, expressing surprise at the difficulties she faced despite her initial hopes for success.
Known as the ‘Queen of Comedy,’ Jacinta revealed in an interview with Joy Entertainment’s Becky that while she always dreamt of a bright future in comedy, the reality of the challenges exceeded her expectations.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jacinta acknowledged that the path to success in comedy is filled with battles and challenges that intensify as one climbs higher.
Despite these hurdles, she remains determined, fueled by her passion for comedy.
“I always knew that I would be great but I think I didn’t know how tough it would be. Nothing ever prepares you for how tough the journey gets, it’s like a new level, a new devil.
“The higher you go, the more things you have to battle with, the fact that you have to be better than the last, nothing prepares you for that but it has been an amazing journey,”Jacinta stated.
Jacinta showcased her comedic talent in various shows across Ghana and Nigeria, including Comedy Night with Buchi (Lagos), Shakara and the Gang (Lagos), and many others.
Her resilience and commitment to her craft continue to inspire aspiring comedians in the industry.
In the world of comedy, 2023 has proven to be a year marked by an abundance of talent that has left audiences in stitches with razor-sharp wit and ingenious humor.
These comedic geniuses have become beacons of respite, offering a much-needed escape from the daily struggles and financial stresses of life.
Through their creative comedic content, these entertainers not only brought joy but also resonated with audiences by addressing the quirks and nuances of contemporary life.
Join us in this GhanaWeb retrospective glance at the comedic landscape of 2023 as we explore the Ghanaian comedians who not only entertained but also wowed audiences with their top-notch and witty content, solidifying their places in the gallery of humor.
The list is in no particular order.
1. Clemento Suarez
Although he is modest, he is an excellent entertainer who does his job with ease. His expressions and silence alone are enough to make people laugh, especially if they’ve seen him at one of the stand-up comedy shows or as a stage actor. For example, his performance at Nacee’s KAVOD was excellent. Oh, and he also raps!
2. Bismark the Joke
From screen acting to stage, Bismark the Joke has proven to be a force to reckon with in the comedy space. His #bissycabi and Nii Amu skits available on various social media platforms have entertained many considering the reactions he gets from the people who watch his content on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and other platforms. He has performed on stage and played some comedic roles including being a landlord in Cos 90.
3. OB Amponsah
He is arguably the most sought after standup comedian in Ghana and his performances are simply flawless. OB exudes charisma and will always excite the audience with his introductory dance moves even before tells his jokes. OB is politically incorrect; he is blunt and could be described as a snipper. He does not censor his jokes. In 2023, he staged ‘A Journey to the South’ with colleague Lekzy DeComic and was a success. His 5th comedy special – JSS was also fun. Beyond being on stage, OB has entertained people with his social media posts.
4. Jacinta
She is the ‘woman on top,’ and it’s not surprising she named her 2023 comedy special as such. The event name, being a sequel to her maiden edition ‘One Night Stand,’ connoted sexuality of a sort, but that obviously was her niche – capturing their attention and keeping them mesmerized with witty content! To say Jacinta’s show was sold out is an understatement, and that will not be hyperbole. She nailed it.
5. Oliver Khan the Ship Dealer
He is not your regular comedian. Not at all! He doesn’t do skits nor standup; instead, he takes a seat on Pure FM’s radio waves, entertaining people with his braggadocious nature. His aggressive style of delivering the English language the way he thinks is top-notch, coupled with his self-aggrandizing nature, has made him the toast of the radio and comedy market. Anytime he engages in conversation with show host Bright Kankam Boadu, rest assured, pain, sadness, etc. will vanish. Oliver Khan has won the hearts of former president John Agyekum Kufuor, Shatta Wale and a host of other personalities.
6. Jeffrey Nortey
Undoubtedly, he is one of the people whose talents became very visible in 2023 despite being in existence for a while. His skits are nicely produced and his ability to infuse wordplay in his craft has been one of the factors for his success. He is known as the ‘Bar King’ because he drops bars upon bars! He is versatile and it is evident in how he is able to play the role of ‘Dragon’, troubled friend of Brown, among others. In December, he put together a show dubbed 3FacesOfJeffreyNortey and the audience who occupied every single seat at Snap Cinema were blown away.
7. Lekzy DeComic
Aside showcasing his talent on the ‘Journey to the South’ stage, Lekzy showed class during his comedy special ‘Can Pain Message’. The comedian is a good impressionist and does not deny the audience that side of him at the event. In fact, that has been one of his strengths. He was the emcee of Jeffrey Nortey’s event and handled the show very well serving some of his funny jokes to the crowd.
8. Putogo
Having been on many stages as a curtain raiser and supporting act, Putogo took a bold step to host his maiden comedy special in May 2023 at the Snap Cinema and it was a huge success. The event dubbed ‘Everything is Funny’ connoted with its title because indeed, everything was funny. Putogo has never left the stage without leaving a lasting impression on the audience. There has never been a dull moment with him on stage and like OB Amponsah, Putogo is uncensored.
9. Oh Joo
Some know him as Professor Liar-nel because of a segment he controls on GHOne TV’s Half Serious Show. With a calm yet interesting posture, he tells lies in a way that evokes laughter, hence, the name. Many know him as Oh Joo and 2023 has been his best year by far. After working on his scripts and garnering a solid fan base, Oh Joo staged his debut comedy special at the Snap Cinema in April 2023. It was dubbed ‘Timid and Crazy’ – a title that was a depiction or summary of his being. Yes, he may come across as timid but he is crazy when it comes to content.
10. Foster Romanus
He is a stage actor, an emcee and a standup comedian; undoubtedly one of the older folks who knows his onions. In 2023, he was never missing in action despite being in the University of Ghana Business School for his masters degree. His role in gospel musician Nacee’s KAVOD, for instance, was nicely executed as it elicited laughter from the audience. As an event emcee, he seizes the opportunity to throw in some of his content to entertain people. His delivery during the MTN Festival of Nice Lessons & Carols in December was impressive.
11. Comedian Unknown
“I am Unknown; if you don’t know me, I don’t know you” – that is how he introduces himself on stage. “I didn’t come here to tell jokes; I came to share my problems,” he would add in some cases. He is slim and unassuming – very tiny, if you like. But when he grabs the microphone, he justifies his inclusion. Comedian Unknown has been a curtain raiser and supporting act for many comedy events, and his calm way of telling his jokes makes him exceptional, leaving audiences wondering how such a quiet presence can wield humor with such profound impact.
12. Afia Barcelona
It would not be farfetched to describe her as the female version of Comedian Unknown, except that she has relatively been in the game longer than Unknown. Afia Barcelona is unpredictable, unaggressive but dangerous, literally. Mostly plying her trade in Kumasi and sometimes in Accra, Afia is a comedian whose unpretentious demeanor conceals a comedic prowess. She effortlessly weaves humor into the fabric of everyday life, surprising audiences with a delivery so smooth, yet appealing.
13. Jerry Ashinyo
Jerry made a notable entry into the realm of comedy specials in 2023, presenting “Out of my Mind” at Snap Cinema on August 5. The lanky comedian, known for his gentle delivery, had previously served as a supporting act and showcased his undeniable wit and humor, proving that he is indeed out of his mind in the best way possible.
Ebenezer Dwomoh, an architect by profession, stepped into the spotlight with his comedy special, “Architect Without A Plan.” Following the success of his previous shows, ‘Seriously Joking’ in 2019 at KNUST and ‘I’m Not Fooling’ in 2022 at the Kumasi City Mall, Dwomoh continued to earn praise for his witty content. Despite his reserved demeanor offstage, his transformation on stage captivates audiences with his clever portrayal of characters, often featuring speech impediments, and demonstrating that humor can be found in unconventional cadences of speech. His skits, particularly one ending with the phrase ‘Twa so’ in Asante Twi, meaning ‘it’s okay; let’s end it here,’ have added to his comedic repertoire. Collaborating with Boss Majoy in skits has also proven to be entertaining.
DKB, often referred to as the ‘headmaster’ due to the size of his head, has played a significant role in the success of the Ghanaian comedy industry. Organizing a monthly comedy show featuring a diverse lineup of acts, both young and old, DKB has consistently entertained patrons, earning commendation for his contributions to the industry. His performance at 3FacesOfJeffreyNortey is a testament to his comedic prowess.
While the Ghanaian comedy industry has seen growth in content, patronage, and support, challenges threaten its progress. In September, OB Amponsah issued a warning about the potential collapse of the Ghanaian comedy industry, citing inadequate funding and a lack of interest from stakeholders as critical issues that need attention.
Without mincing words, the popular comedian stated that “the standup comedy industry in Ghana is a struggling one”, explaining that it is “severely lacking funding even with exceptional talents that can sell anywhere.”
“The standup comedy industry is standing on wobbly legs. Don’t be surprised when it comes crumbling down,” he mentioned.
It is crucial to provide the necessary support to the comedy sector, not only to enable comedians to alleviate people’s pain through laughter but also recognizing it as an ecosystem. This sector plays a vital role in employment, contributing to the reduction of unemployment rates in the country.
Well-known comedian from Nigeria, Helen Paul, has shared her story of overcoming the stigma she experienced as a child from society.
A few years prior, Helen Paul had disclosed that she was raped at birth.
She claimed in a social media video that went viral that some family members even called her a “bastard” who would never amount to anything.
Not everyone can handle rejection. Some of us are unaware that the words we use can cause someone to feel rejected forever, but in my case, it had a different effect.
“I was born out of rape, and I grew up with my grandmother, where everyone in the area called me a bastard. So, I grew up hearing that I’m a bastard.
“When my aunties come to give grandma money for feeding, they will say ‘Don’t use this money to take care of one bastard child, use it to take care of yourself and buy your medicine’.
She shared her story, inspiring others, saying her mother was everything to her.
“Once they leave, mama would turn to me and speak in pidgin ‘you don hear wetin dem aunty dem dey talk, na so this world be o. Na people wey suppose be your mama blood be that oh but dem don tell you who you be. If you like, grow up, forget yourself, say if person no do well, nobody they celebrate ham’.
“But I realize that anytime I offended Mama, she would not want to touch me because they have warned Mama not to beat me. So you think a child looking at different talk will grow up with love? But today, I am a comedian in Nigeria and a professor in the United States.”
Ghanaian comedian DKB has elaborated on the reasoning behind his inclusion of 4Kings, a troupe of young men who resemble celebrities, in the upcoming episode of his Comedy Express show scheduled for July 7, 2023.
4Kings comprises the lookalikes of Mr Drew, Kuami Eugene, King Promise and Medikal.
The four men have been criticized by a section of the public for imitating celebrities they have a striking resemblance with, with some suggesting that it could lead to impersonation.
Others have, however, hailed the quartet and asked critics to cut them some slack arguing they have done nothing wrong by entertaining the public. They argued that until the quartet or any lookalike impersonates, criticisms against their actions are farfetched.
As DKB stages July’s edition of Comedy Express, he stated that 4Kings has an opportunity to become stars since they have a couple of songs they have composed and recorded for consumption.
According to him, these are the songs the 4Kings will perform at his event amidst some witty content.
“I put them on the show to come and entertain people,” said DKB. “I have also seen the content they put out; those guys are hilarious. It will be a great opportunity for them to perform some of their own music so believe that on the night they wouldn’t be performing any music belonging to their famous doppelgangers.”
Known to be Ghana’s premium monthly comedy show, the July edition is expected to be held at the Snap Cinema, Accra.
On the bill are OB Amponsah, Comedian Waris, MJ the Comedian and DKB.
Real Warri Pikin, also known in real life as Anita Alaire Afoke Asuoha, has disclosed that she was celibate up to the night of her wedding. The disclosure was revealed by the well-known comedian during a recent interview with media figure Chude Jideonwo.
Afoke claimed that she decided to live a celibate life after having her heart shattered by a university partner. She claimed that the separation had left her feeling so devastated that she had made the decision to devote her life to serving God.
“I said, you know what? I’m not doing men anymore. I will serve God,” Afoke said. “I started serving God and going to church, praying on campus. I stopped going to parties. And I became celibate. I vowed that no man will see my nakedness again till my wedding night.”
Afoke said that while serving in Abuja as part of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), she met her husband, Ikechukwu. They wed in 2012 and now have three kids.
Reactions to Afoke’s disclosure have been conflicted. While some have applauded her for her dedication to her faith, others have questioned her choice to postpone having sex until after marriage.
Regardless of people’s opinions, Afoke’s story is a reminder that there are many different paths to happiness and fulfillment. She is living proof that it is possible to find love and happiness without having to compromise your values.
In her interview, Afoke also spoke about her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. She said that she turned to comedy as a way to cope with her pain.
“I used comedy to express my pain,” Afoke said. “I used comedy to tell my story. And I used comedy to heal.”
The tale of Afoke serves as a potent reminder that we are not the only ones who struggle. Anyone who has ever felt lost or alone can take inspiration from her. Her experience demonstrates to us that even the most trying circumstances can be overcome.
Award-winning Nigerian singer David Adeleke, also known asDavidohas revealed that he would have ventured into the comedy industry if he had no passion for music.
The 30 Billion Gang head honcho disclosed this in a recent chat with Youtuber, Tayo Aina.
He said he would have excelled at stand-up comedy because he is a “funny guy.”
Davido said, “If I wasn’t a musician, I’d be a stand-up comedian. I’m a funny guy.
“Even in school, I was always the guy to make people laugh. So, I think that kind of transcended into my entertainment, music and just being a people-person.
“I love making people laugh, I don’t know why. It’s like my joy. I love making people laugh, I love making people happy. I love making people feel comfortable, I love making people just feel nice because I know how it feels not to feel good. That bad feeling, I don’t like it and I don’t want anybody to have it.”
Ghanaian comedian Nana Yaw Boateng Oduro, popularly known as Funny Face, has revealed that he has apologized to his friends Emmanuel Adebayor and Bola Ray.
A few months ago, the comedian, who was believed to have been dealing with an extreme case of a depression-induced mental breakdown, insulted Adebayor and Bola Ray on social media for allegedly neglecting him during his difficult times.
He accused Bola Ray of terminating his job at Kasapa FM, despite his contributions to EIB’s Starr FM.
He also attacked Adebayor for unfollowing him on social media during his relapse.
In a recent interview with TV3, the comedian stated that his friends were not hesitant in accepting his apology because they know who he truly is.
“They know the real you, so they know what you are going through is not you. So when you come back and apologize, they accept,” he said. “I was not afraid of losing Adebayor and Bola Ray, because I know in their hearts, they know the real me, and they know what I was going through.”
Funny Face explained that whatever caused the rift between them was never deliberate. He was going through a tough time and was confused and frustrated.
He also revealed that he loves children, and not being able to see his own was taking a toll on him. However, it seems that the trio has reconciled, and Funny Face has taken responsibility for his actions.
We wish Funny Face all the best as he continues to make us laugh with his humour.
Comedy enthusiasts in Ghana might witness a legendary comedy performance by American stand-up comedian David Khari Webber Chappelle soon.
Dave Chappelle, as he is popularly known, hinted at a performance in Ghana during one of his sold-out comedy shows in London last Friday, dubbed “Dave Chappelle Live in London 2022”.
The event was held at the popular Backyard Comedy Club.
Dave mounted the stage and asked his old-time friend and talented Ghanaian-born British comedian Kojo Anim where he’s from, to which Kojo answered, ‘Ghana’. He went on to make a little joke off that and chipped in that he probably should have a comedy show in Ghana. Kojo agreed that it is a great idea.
If the thought comes to fruition, it will be Dave Chappelle’s first performance in Ghana. This comes after the comedian hinted in April last year that he wants to move to Ghana to create a new life, during an interview with Naomi Campbell.
The experienced stand-up comedian treated his fans in the auditorium to yet another rib-cracking moment, with lots of content on Kanye West and his recent statements, which pretty much dominated his entire set.
Dave Chappelle’s set was preceded by performances from Ashley and Cipha, both of whom had patrons in stitches. The incredible and hilarious Kojo Anim took his turn and gave off an outstanding performance on the night with massive jokes on African dads and kids.
Kojo, after his golden buzzer moment at the ‘British Got Talent’ show has never looked back and continues to make great strides in the world of comedy, continually sharing stages with legends.
David Khari Webber Chappelle is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is known for his satirical comedy sketch series Chappelle’s Show (2003–2006), which he starred in until quitting in the middle of production during the third season. After a hiatus, Chappelle returned to performing stand-up comedy across the U.S. By 2006, Chappelle was called the “comic genius of America” by Esquire and, in 2013, “the best” by a Billboard writer. In 2017, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 9 in their “50 Best Stand-Up Comics of All Time”.
Chris Redd didn’t make it to his comedy show on Wednesday night in New York City.
TMZ reports that when the Saturday Night Live alum pulled up to the Comedy Cellar in Greenwich Village, he was allegedly assaulted by a random person. Redd was transported to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan and has since been treated and released.
According to authorities, Redd was sucker-punched in the face after he got out of his vehicle at around 9:40 p.m. ET. The suspect was reportedly outfitted in a security guard uniform and left Redd with a bloody nose.
By the time law enforcement arrived at the scene, the suspect had already fled. The reason behind the alleged attack is unknown. Footage acquired by TMZ shows the aftermath of the scene, with blood on the sidewalk and on the Comedy Cellar’s steps.
Redd departed from SNL in late September, and in the days following, news surfaced that he’s reportedly dating Kenan Thompson’s estranged wife, Christina Evangeline. The former couple is separated, with Thompson filing for divorce in May after 11 years of marriage. They have joint custody of their two daughters, 3-year-old Gianna and 7-year-old Georgia.
Redd and Evangeline apparently started officially dating within the past year, with TMZ reporting that “there was no overlap or cheating.” Thompson allegedly isn’t upset over the pair dating.
Redd left SNL after five years with the show. Thompson has stayed on, now becoming the longest-running cast member after joining in 2003.
If you are a big fan of Mark Angel Comedy then you have probably googled some information about his family. Not many people know that Mark Angel has a wife and child, so we did so digging and found out that mark is currently engaged to a beautiful woman named Amanda Josh.
Amanda is an actress and played the role of Aunty Success’s Mother in many of Mark Angel’s Comedy videos. Mark loves Amanda so much that he frequently celebrates her on social media, in subtle ways the comedian has hinted that Amanda is his ‘significant other’.
However, many of his followers never took him seriously because he jokes a lot about it. She bore him a child named Mila Angel on the 15th of May 2018.
Of course, you could say that’s not true but Mark himself confirmed in one of his recent videos that Mila is infact his child.
Although, we don’t know when Mark Angel got married to Amanda Josh, what we do know is that they have been together for a long time.
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