I try not to step on anyone’s toes - Clemento Suarez
HIS comedic skills may have come to the attention of mainly comedy lovers but Clemento Suarez gained nationwide recognition with his skits on social media, especially when the country went into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.
And having won the hearts of Ghanaians, the comedian/actor says he is being very careful not to offend anybody. “The love Ghanaians have shown me over the years is remarkable and I am trying as much as possible not to step on anyone’s toes.
“You cannot tell the mind of Ghanaians, you do one silly thing and the love they have for you is gone forever. In this regard, I am trying to always be in the good books of Ghanaians. I have seen celebrities who were loved by Ghanaians but now no one wants to see their faces," he told Graphic Showbiz.
According to Clemento, real name Clement Ashiteye, he was very careful with whatever he did in public and his choice of words.
“I have not had any issue in the industry all this while because I am very careful and I want to keep it as such. Having issues all over is not good for my brand and I have been able to stay out of trouble for this long time,” he said.
Talking about what he does not like in the entertainment industry, Clemento Suarez, who started his comedy career at the University of Ghana (Legon), said there was too much disrespect from event organisers.
“Event organisers don’t respect artistes and I have been a witness. They book you for a show and they feel you don’t deserve the money you charged.
“You come early for a show you are billed to perform on and event organisers waste all your time with the excuse that attendance is small. Sometimes getting money for an event you have emceed is even a problem," he disclosed.
Clemento Suarez also applauded his colleagues for taking Ghanaian comedy to the next level. “Gone are the days when GH comedy was nothing to write home about, now I can proudly say we are the best comedians in Africa.
“I think we have the best comedians in Ghana and it is about time corporate bodies started investing in our shows. We are funny people and I want Ghanaians to start believing in us. It is when we believe in ourselves that other countries will also start believing in us,” he said.
Clemento Suarez has featured in quite a number of productions including Gallery of Comedy, Thank God for Idiots, Romantic Nonsense, Sweet Dreams & Nightmares, What Can Come Can Come, Flagstaff House, Mallams & Pastors, I Can’t Think Far, Prison Graduates, Ama 2G, Ladder, Keteke, You Play Me, I Play You, Bukom, Royal Diadem, Kejetia vs Makola and 3 Idoits and a Wiseman.
He has won awards such as Best Comic Actor at GH Comedy Awards, Best Comedian at Fashion & Lifestyle Ghana, Best Comedian at GH Entertainment Awards USA and Best Male Comedian at GH Actors & Entertainers Awards.
He recently took the Best Entertainer prize at the Exclusive Men of the Year (EMY) Africa Awards.
