TWO-TIME Ghana Comedian of the Year, Lekzy Decomic, says bringing comedy pioneers KSM, Fritz Baffour and Tommy Annan-Forson together on one stage will be a personal milestone and a tribute to the foundation they laid for the industry.
The comedian said the veterans had helped create opportunities for younger performers to build careers in comedy, making it important for him to celebrate their contributions.
The three will feature at Lekzy Unleashed — The Godfathers Edition, scheduled for November 7 at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) Auditorium.
Speaking in an interview with the Daily Graphic ahead of the show, Lekzy recalled watching the veterans on television as a child, even though he did not fully understand their performances at the time.
“I remember growing up, my dad would be watching Fritz and Friends, KSM. As a little boy, I can boldly tell you that I didn’t understand most of the things they were saying, but I could see my dad enjoying them,” he said.
He said he came to appreciate their impact as his own career developed, recognising that contemporary English-language comedy in Ghana had benefitted from the groundwork laid by the pioneers.
“They actually had to crawl for some of us to walk. So, the existence of comedy, I mean contemporary comedy or English-speaking comedy, is because of the foundation they laid,” he added.
Lekzy described the opportunity to host the three veterans on his platform as a dream come true, particularly because they were familiar with his work and had agreed to be part of the event.
“When I met them in person, you could clearly see that they know my work and they know my exploits. They were able to make me out of the machine, meaning I’m also doing something right,” he said.
For Lekzy, the event is not just another comedy show but an opportunity to bring different generations together to celebrate those who helped shape the industry and the comedians continuing their legacy.
He described the experience awaiting patrons as “old wine and fresh wine coming together”, promising a night of comedy that would also give audiences an opportunity to witness a significant moment in Ghanaian entertainment.
The line-up will feature established and contemporary comedians, including Clemento Suarez, DKB, Foster Romanus, Jeneral Ntatia, Kwaku Manu, Khemikal, Mr Beautiful, David Oscar, Parrot Mouth, Percy Obrempong, James Brown and Jeffery Nortey.
South African comedian Chris Mapane and Nigerian comedian Deacon Famous will also join the event, while rapper Okyeame Kwame is expected to add a musical dimension to the evening. The Kyemkyem Band will also perform.
Lekzy believes the gathering will give audiences who know the veterans by name but have never watched them perform an opportunity to appreciate their contributions to Ghanaian comedy.
“If you don’t show up, you are missing out on a lot. Because most people have heard the names I just built, but they’ve never experienced them before,” he said.
