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Why Are Females Not Doing Standup Comedy in Ghana? Female ‘Showbizers’ Share Their Opinions

Comedy
Comedy

Some females are quite excelling in various forms of Ghana’s art and entertainment industry, but, in the world of comedy, it appears no female is ready to risk the adventure.

The issue of the bedraggled state of Ghana’s comedy industry has been discussed on almost every entertainment program across the country. Spotting the light on standup comedy, the gender that is dominating is the males.

The question therefore is; where are the females? As much as the females are fiercely competing with males in the other forms of our art and entertainment industry, they are totally missing when it comes to the comedy fraternity.

Currently, there’s no female standup comedian in Ghana. All the standup comedians are males – David Oscar, Funny Face, Khemical, Percy, James Brown, DKB and others. Our neighbouring country, Nigeria, can at least boast of celebrated female standup comedians such as; Lakpacious, Mandy, Helen, Princess and others (though there could be more I’m not privy to). It is on record that Mandy is the first female who started standup comedy in Nigeria.

Females in the Ghana’s art and entertainment or showbiz industry are playing pivotal roles and are excelling in other fields of our art industry. Taking film making for instance; Shirley Frimpong Manson and Leila Afua Djansi are both doing phenomenal!

Turning the radar to music; we have the likes of Akosua Agyapong, Cecilia Marfo, Eazzy, Efya, Becca, Kaakie, etc. all doing excellent! Ama Atta Aidoo and Efua T. Sutherland have put Ghana on the international scene as far as storytelling – through play or drama and novels is concerned!

On the movie or acting front are: Jackie Appiah, Yvonne Nelson, Nadia Buari, Martha Ankomah, Yvonne Okoro, etc. In broadcasting circles are Doreen Andoh, Gifty Anti, and Jessica Opare Saforo; who are top-drawer female broadcasters in Ghana.

The apropos questions worth mulling over are: don’t females in Ghana have strong comedy incisions? Are they scared or intimidated by the savvy jest and wit of the male standup comedians? Are they afraid of being called “fools” as some ignoramuses’ term comedians in Ghana? Or are they simply not given the opportunity?

What at all could be stymieing females from doing standup comedy in Ghana? For answers or opinions to these questions, GhanaCelebrities.Com contacted some respected Ghanaian female ‘showbizers’ on the subject.

WHITNEY BOAKYE – Peace 104.3 fm

You know, women are a bit sensitive as compared to men. Already some of our male comedians, especially the local ones are described as ‘fools.’ So I think it’s the perception that comedians are ‘fools’ that may be puts them off.

Moving on: “I strongly believe we have lots of undiscovered female comedians in this country. I think it’s high time our event companies focus on them as well as those female comedians should attend more of such comedy auditions.”

NANAHEMAA – Adom 106.3 fm

To me, the main problem is that we don’t support our comedians or the comedy industry. Already those (male comedians) who are doing comedy are not appreciated and supported. We are always criticizing them so why would females feel confident to enter such an industry? We patronize foreign comedy. We don’t appreciate our own!

Moving on: I strongly believe there are 1000 and more female comedians out there! Some can even do far better than what DKB, David Oscar, and co are doing! Let’s support our comedians.

MZZ FABREGAS – Channel R (92.7 fm)

“Well I feel men dominate in everything in this country but that should not be a reason why females should not venture into our standup comedy industry. Comedians in Ghana are looked down upon, and as women, we can’t take that so I believe it’s one of the major reasons why females are not doing standup comedy in Ghana.”

Moving on: Well, if we have female footballers, presenters, and others who are excelling, why not? Females should take up standup comedy. I’m very sure their performance shall surpass the guys. Women should stand up to men through standup comedy (laughs).

SALLY FRIMPONG-MANSO – Hitz 103.9 fm

I in my opinion, I feel the men have not been able to have hold of themselves. I also feel naturally, comedy is not our thing. If you say comedians who are they? Is it the DKBs? Is it Funny Face’s? In my opinion I don’t think we have any comedian in Ghana.

Our industry has been dominated by males. The males are always ahead of us, so when we see what they do, then it gives us the encouragement to also do as women. But if the males are not doing well in that part of our industry or excelling, it does not boost our confidence for us to want to try that.

Moving on: I will not urge anybody (female) to enter because that field of our entertainment has not been successful. If it’s successful, that is where you can urge somebody to go there. Why would I push my fellow woman into it? I don’t think Ghanaians even have interest there!

SOKOO HEMAA – Prime fm and Amansan TV

To me, comedy should be part of a person. It should be you! In Ghana we don’t consider comedy as a profession. We consider comedians as fools or a profession meant for uneducated people.’ No woman would enter into a profession that she will be called a ‘fool.’

Even the men can’t stand that perception, how much more females? I am a comedian but I won’t venture. I wouldn’t want to be called a ‘fool.’ No man will marry a lady who is described as a ‘fool.’ A lot of people have encouraged me to do comedy but, I can’t!

Moving on: “It will be difficult oo! (Laughs) But I urge those female comedians to come out. There is no harm in trying. I believe there are many of female comedians out there who can equally compete with the guys. They should muster courage!”

The biggest comedy show in Ghana is Charterhouse’s 1000 laugh series. Since its inception, I’ve never seen any Ghanaian female standup comedian mount the stage to perform. The stage is always mastered with male standup comedians.

The only female comedians we see are from Nigeria or are Nigerians – Lakpacious and Helen especially. For the organizers side, GhanaCelebrities.Com spoke with PRO of Charterhouse, Mr. George Nii Armah Quaye, and this is what he shared with us.

“Well general I think comedy is not our thing. We are simply not good in it. So its not a matter of sex – male or female. Secondly too, our entertainment industry is largely male dominated. Thirdly too, I feel our females are simply not interested in that field (comedy). Already the males are not doing well how much more females?

Moving on: Well, in life if you don’t lean your back against the wall, you will never know how strong you are. So moving on, I will urge females to join our comedy industry but they should learn and research widely because that is the current biggest challenge of our comedy industry.”

GhanaCelebrities.Com’s Opinion/Contribution

We at GhanaCelebrities.Com respect and agree with the opinions shared by the above female ‘showbizers.’ However, the point we don’t concur is the fact that they claim comedians in Ghana are described or tagged as ‘fools,’ hence a putt off for our female undiscovered comedians.

If Nigerian female comedians are contracted with huge sums of money to storm Ghana and crake jokes for the very female Ghanaian fans to patronize, without calling the former ‘fools,’ then it means there is no horse sense in Ghanaian females not doing standup comedy with the excuse that they shall be called ‘fools.’ Ghanaian females are simply not daring, adventurous and not ready to challenge the status quo, period!

A cerebral discussion must be unfurled on this issue now that the issue of comedy in Ghana is gaining attention and popularity. After all, females say; “what men can do, they can do and do better.” Until then….MOTWUM!!



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