Ghana Comedy 'apicki', OB Amponsah’s story at Bukom Boxing arena

“Ghana Comedy apicki. This looks so unreal”. Perhaps, these were not just mere but sound of victory for comedian OB Amponsah when he took breather, heaved a sigh of relief in the middle of performance to look at the crowd that had filled the Bukom Boxing arena for his comedy special to celebrate his 10 years in the industry on Saturday.

And those words echoed loudly in the ears of patrons who had come from far and wide to witness the growth of Ghana’ comedy with OB filling a 4,0000 seater capacity for a comedy show.

Right from the entrance of the venue, it was certain the large number of patrons waiting to get inside came for a “boxing affair” to split their ribs with laughter.

And thanks to comedian Lekzy Decomic, he just did that with his intro as the compere for the night. Even though the event didn’t kick off at the publicised time of 7:00pm due to some technical challenges including the set up of the stage, that was not the concern of patrons who were busy laughing their hearts out from the witty jokes of Lekzy Decomic.

If anyone doubted having a goodnight, perhaps, Lekzy’s performance would have changed it. His jokes on New Patriotic Party’s loss, deliverance in churches, why single men don’t want to marry and the lyrics of Ga songs being dominant with food had patrons in stiches.

The icing on the cake was his definition of NABCO as Nana and Bawumia Company. That statement got the crowd roaring in laughter.

For ardent followers of Ghana comedy, last Saturday could best be their proud moment and moment of Ghanaian comedians showing receipts for their talent as they had back to back hit jokes. 

The likes DKB, Jacinta, Ebenezer Dwomoh, Ranzy Ray, Smile, Kwaku40, Kojo Pjay, Oojoo, Papa Yaw, Putogo, Foster Romanus, Jerry Ashinyo, Kwame Obed, David Crypto gave good accounts of themselves.

However, their presentation was just a mirror of what was to be expected from headline artiste, OB Amponsah and he lived up to the hype of introduction done by Lekzy Decomic before he hit the stage. 

His entry was very simple entry yet made a bold statement about his talent and Ghana comedy industry as well before bowing out on the night. 

And oh, Bawumia and Dr Mathew Opoku Prempeh(NAPO) were in trouble on the night. OB’s jokes on E-Gate and NAPO’s utterances during the campaign were very hilarious. His tale jokes also included his Menzgold saga where he lost huge investment, potholes in Ghana and how the NPP failed to get a campaign strategy that attracted the Gen Zs who believed in challenges such as “I’m not the one”.

To crown the night, other comedians supported OB Amponsah to cut a cake to mark his 10 years anniversary in comedy.

However, the night was not just an affair of local comedians. There were also performances by Canadian comedian Emerson, Miriam Kirk from the USA and Johnny Pula from Botswana, who was really good. 

History

Some patrons who spoke to Graphic Showbiz believed OB Amponsah achieved the unthinkable by filling a large venue for a comedy show, a feat never before accomplished in the country's comedy space. 

Reviews on social media agree to this with some netizens, challenging Charterhouse, organisers of Night of Laughs and Music not to feature Nigerian artistes again since Ghanaian comedians were up to the task. 

Indeed, it was a glorious night of celebrating the story, challenges and triumphs of Ghana’s comedy graced by dignitaries including veteran actor, David Dontoh, Ama K Abebrese, Timothy Bentum, Ken Fiati and actor, Van Vicker. 

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