Lekzy Decomic believes Ghana’s comedy scene has earned respect and deserves to be paid like it.
“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.
His frustration reflects a deeper issue in an industry now thriving far beyond its struggling past. Major venues such as the National Theatre, UPSA Auditorium and Bukom Arena routinely sell out for comedy nights, proving that audiences are ready to pay for stand-up. What was once a side attraction at concerts has evolved into marquee events headlined by Ghanaian comedians.
Lekzy argues that with this growth must come fairer remuneration. “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, urging official recognition of comedy as both an art form and a cultural export.
The fight for proper pay is not comedians’ only challenge. Public backlash often greets material that strikes a nerve. Last December, OB Amponsah drew fire from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) after a joke about the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh. Lekzy says he has faced his share of online attacks too.
“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.
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He welcomes feedback but rejects blanket condemnation: “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.
To navigate backlash, Lekzy mixes patience with perspective. “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 been producing his own shows, steadily expanding his fan base. Too Cute to Be Mute 1K in 2021, Too Cute to Be Mute Amplified in 2022, CanPAIN MESSage in 2023, and The New False in 2024 each drew strong crowds and reinforced his reputation for originality.
Now he is preparing for his next performance, The Funny Boy In It (FBI), slated 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 comedian stated.
