Ghana Comedy: After DKB what next? NOTHING…..

• Posted on September 8, 2014September 8, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• 1 Comment

The genuine public appreciation of DKB’s successful outing at the last edition of the night of laughs and music was massive and resounding. The applause and standing ovation at the end of his performance was testimony of what patrons of the show thought of a man who, prior to the event, was best known for his violent adventure in the Big brother Africa house than for his comic abilities.

Social media was trending #DKB, renowned pundits and columnists were writing about DKB, Fans were in great awe of DKB and colleague Ghanaian comedians were head over heels, hailing DKB.

For the latter group, the success of DKB transcended a personal feat since the consequences of his actions were far reaching; akin to a freedom fighter leading a country to independence – he had made them proud; broken the chains and barriers; restored belief in the Ghanaian comedian and made a statement to all doubters…. Yh right.

Well, you can’t fault them if you consider the battle they have been waging against the status quo of event organizers flying in Nigerian comedians every year for the show. But really, do these comedians have a case and does DKB’s brilliant performance vindicate their position that local acts haven’t been given fair opportunities?

The success story of DKB is more pronounced than many around him probably acknowledge. This is a guy who flopped at his first opportunity on the same stage he succeeded this time, was widely vilified as not being funny; people questioned his selection into the Big Brother house as a celebrity; and worst of all, who gained huge international disapproval for assaulting a woman on live TV. How worse can a false start in one’s career be?

Continuing from where I left off, DKB came to Ghana to virtually start all over again, decades behind all his contemporaries. He lost his job at Viasat 1, though he was often relied on anytime a substitute was needed for the ‘boys boys’ show. The stubborn, unrepentant and persevering Ga blood in him must have been an asset at this stage, as he found the energy to still stay relevant and visible, though people must surely have written him off.

My question really is, when all other comedians had a clear advantage over DKB because of his misfortunes, what did they do with that advantage? They spent time engaging in verbal wars with virtually everyone who dared criticize them. Instead of making their performances speak for them; sure they must have realized the performances cannot do a good PR job, so they had to intervene themselves. This attitude from people who are not public favorites could only lead to a negative consequence.

As entertainers, the stressed public should have the peace of mind that in difficult times, there are people they can watch or listen to, and at least have a smile on their faces. But NO, not in the case of the group we have; instead of acting funny, they would rather tell you that they are funny so listen or watch them. Failure to do so and their wrath will descend heavily on you.

For anyone who believes in the ability of the Ghanaian, the success of DKB at the comedy show obviously shows that ‘y3 w) adzi papa w) fie.’ But should it be viewed by any of his contemporaries as victory in the war they have been waging? I say NO. WHY? Well, I am sure I have been around long enough to appreciate the fact that Michael Essien comes from Ghana and has played at the highest level doesn’t mean if a bus was put at the stadium to carry people who claim to be footballers, there will be many ‘Michael Essiens.’

Were we not in this country when from virtual obscurity, Funny Face burst unto the scene and became the face of Gh comedy? Why didn’t that engineer a large exodus of local comedians from hibernation? They simply weren’t good enough!

One local comedian recounted to me recently that ‘’fact that DKB was able to do it means there is a stock of talent wherever he came from so organisers should turn an eye to where DKB came from and unearth more of such talents.’’ Saaaa? Well, he believed in his comments and stood by it.

Look, the society owes local aspiring comedians NOTHING… they fail to realize that comedy is a full-time career for many. Sure DKB must have been paid one of his highest asks as a comedian to be on that stage, and surely one would have to cough out even more ‘Mahama Pounds’ in this economy to secure his services now.

How then can anyone assume that event organisers have a civic or national duty to give him or her opportunities, even when clearly they do not deserve it?

No serious businessman will tow that line! So like footballers, actors, radio presenters, and all who are in the creative arts, you only get that contract or opportunity if you prepare yourself, brand yourself, and get noticed. DKB surely did that and now he is at the table of men.

The problem with many ‘comedians’ in Ghana is that they operate as though they are doing the society a favour by opting for this career. If that is really the feeling, my little advice is STOP IT and let us miss your absence.

Instead of celebrating in the joy of DKB’s epic success and learning very useful lessons from how he moved from ‘hwee’ to ‘piii’ in such record time before an unforgiving Ghanaian public, they see this as yet another opportunity to attack supposed haters and detractors – the same path they were on before DKB ever thought of being a comedian and through when he showed Zainab in the Big Brother Africa house that a comedian’s hands can speak louder when his lips feel defeated.

Being a comedian must certainly be very difficult, but does that permit anyone any comedian to rather vent his frustration on us? We are stressed enough!

Many comedy patrons were shocked to the core when globally-adored comedian, Robbin Williams committed suicide. In August 2007, Owen Wilson of ‘Shanghai Knights‘ movie fame attempted suicide too. I can’t readily think of any such extreme misfortunes involving a Ghanaian comedian, but surely before it gets that bad, if the kitchen is too hot and you feel unappreciated (for your feeble efforts), Gen Nunoo-Mensah says, pick your passport or jokes and ‘gerroouuttt’.

Author: Pasino Fred (www.233times.net)

@Pasinoman