Ghanaian comedian Lekzy Decomic says the country’s comedy boom is undeniable, but performers are still not being compensated fairly for their craft.
“The industry should see stand-up comedy as a big force, and promoters must put respect on the craft and pay for its worth. I know event organisers who pay foreign comedians higher than Ghanaian ones, even when we consistently perform better,” he told Graphic Showbiz in a recent interview.
His remarks highlight a tension beneath comedy’s rising popularity. In recent years, shows at the National Theatre, UPSA Auditorium, and Bukom Arena have consistently sold out, with audiences eager to pay for stand-up. What once played second fiddle at concerts has become a headline attraction led by Ghanaian talents.
For Lekzy, this growth should translate into better rewards. “We have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry, and it’s about time the government also see comedy as an art that can promote culture and tourism,” he added, calling for recognition of comedy as a cultural and economic asset.
Payment isn’t the only hurdle comedians face. Sharp jokes often spark sharp reactions. In December, OB Amponsah was criticized by members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) over a joke about its vice-presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh. Lekzy himself has been no stranger to online backlash.
“Sometimes, jokes can be polarising, and not everyone will find them funny. But people need to take jokes lightly and not blow them out of proportion. When people overreact, it only amplifies the joke unnecessarily,” he said.
He accepts fair critique but rejects sweeping judgment: “As a comedian, I understand my jokes may have a ‘victim’ or a character who might not be too pleased with how the joke lands. Constructive criticism is welcome, but it’s unfair to judge a comedian based on one mistake or one bad day.
“We all have ups and downs. One mistake shouldn’t reduce a comedian’s entire career to nothing,” he explained.
Lekzy says he copes with controversy by combining patience with accountability. “In Ghana, issues often blow over within three days. If I’ve genuinely offended someone, I’ll apologise. But if it’s just a matter of oversensitivity, I let it fade away,” he noted.
Since 2021, Lekzy has staged his own productions, each growing his fan base. Too Cute to Be Mute 1K launched in 2021, followed by Too Cute to Be Mute Amplified in 2022, CanPAIN MESSage in 2023, and The New False in 2024, all of which cemented his reputation for originality.
He is now preparing for his latest outing, The Funny Boy In It (FBI), scheduled for September 27. “It’s always a different experience at my shows because I don’t just sell jokes; I sell an experience people can’t find anywhere else. That’s the motive for this show,” the Ghanaian comedian averred.
