"Years are immaterial; we're on the cusp of a new era," Dennis Boateng announced, indicating that comedy is poised to become the main or even the only profession for many in Ghana.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Comedy Awards made this statement during an appearance on Class FM's morning program, hosted by Prince Benjamin (PB).
"Visualize this scenario: you organize a comedy show, fill a medium-sized auditorium with 1,000 seats, and charge GH¢100 per ticket. Exclude any complimentary tickets and consider the support of sponsors," he explained.
He further illustrated his point by comparing it to a regular job, "What do you make monthly from your 9-5 job? Say it's GH¢5,000, which totals GH¢60,000 a year. A single entertainment event, however, could bring in GH¢100,000 to GH¢200,000. Why bind yourself to a 9-5? Depend on your show, earn significantly, and support others through it."
Boateng, who also takes on the role of a master of ceremonies (MC) on occasion, mentioned that it's not rare to be offered GH¢5,000 or GH¢10,000 for a brief three-hour event—a noteworthy amount.
He underscored the long-term benefits of comedy, "If you give it your focus, it can sustain you indefinitely," and encouraged his audience to consider the examples of successful comedians like Basketmouth and AY Live.
"They aren't tied to a 9-5," he continued, noting that they organize their events, earn their income, and then they're set for the year.
Boateng pointed out that international comedians are similar to Ghanaian ones, except for the scale of their platforms and networks. He encouraged local talents to continue to excel and aim higher.
He praised performers such as Parrot Mouth, OB Amponsah, Lekzy De Comic, Clemento Suarez, and their peers for their achievements on global stages in the Americas, Europe, and Africa.
He acknowledged their hard work in overcoming international competition in the local scene and making a mark on social media.
He also expressed joy over the remarkable solidarity shown by Ghanaian comedians.