GHANA’S comedy industry has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years, with comedians now headlining their own shows and filling major auditoriums in Accra.

Venues such as the National Theatre, UPSA Auditorium and Bukom Arena have consistently sold out— a far cry from the days when comedians struggled to secure stage time at events. Today, patrons happily pay to watch stand-up comedy.

Yet, behind the laughter lies a pressing concern: fair compensation. Popular comedian Lekzy Decomic believes comedians have worked tirelessly to elevate the craft and deserve to be rewarded accordingly by event organisers.

He advocates better payment for comedians, suggesting that their hard work and popularity warrant 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 on Tuesday, September 2.

Lekzy further urged the government to recognise comedy as a powerful cultural tool. “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,” she said.

Even as they fight for better pay, comedians also contend with public criticism when their jokes step on sensitive toes.

Last December, comedian OB Amponsah faced backlash from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for a distasteful joke about the party’s vice-presidential candidate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh. Lekzy himself has also been targeted online, sometimes unfairly, he argued.

“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 explained.

He added that constructive criticism was welcome, but comedians should not be condemned for one bad day.

“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 said.

To cope with backlash, the Takoradi Technical University graduate adopts a mix of patience and 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 said.

Since 2021, Lekzy Decomic has been hosting his own comedy shows, steadily carving a niche in the industry. He thrilled fans with Too Cute to Be Mute 1K in 2021, followed by Too Cute to Be Mute Amplified in 2022. In 2023, he staged CanPAIN MESSage, and in 2024, The New False. (Read Lekzy hosts South African comedians for Funny Boy Innit show)

Now, he is gearing up for his next show, 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,” he emphasised.