While there are plenty of male comedians in Ghana, you could fit as many female comedians on one hand and still have fingers left over.
Additionally, comedienne Jacinta adds that women need a lot of confidence to break through because comedy is controlled by men in this place.
The gifted Jacinta claims that the lack of confidence among the nation’s female comedians is the reason why there aren’t many of them.
“It is presumed that comedy is for men and women are not cut for it so once you decide to be a comedian, you are seen in some way. I didn’t get it easy starting my career and I still get comments about why a beautiful girl like me has decided to ‘fool’.
“I was very passionate about comedy and never cared about whatever anyone said. I needed to break through and in doing that, I had to build my confidence and today I am proud of what I have become. I never allowed whatever anyone said to bring me down.
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“You don’t have to listen to negative comments if you are focused on something,” she told the Graphic Showbiz in an interview.
But, Jacinta, who starred in her own shows One Night Stand the previous year and Woman On Top in October of this year, adding that female comedians may elevate their game by beginning with smaller gigs and progressing to larger ones as their confidence grows.
“I have featured a few females on my show a couple of times and what I realised is that they lacked self-confidence. Maybe, the stage was too much for them but they can start from the pubs, weddings and then move unto the main stage with time.
“When you are so confident, you can even turn a joke which is not too funny into a side-splitting one. The boldness with which you would coin your joke will make the fans fall for it”, she disclosed.
In addition to that, she also divulged that a lot of research needs to be done if one wants to succeed as a comedian. “Repeating jokes is not the best and to stay on top of your game, you need to research trending issues and get new jokes to always blow the minds of your audience. Light entertainment is not an easy task, especially if you want to be on top, “she said.
Jacinta Asi Ocansey was the birth name of the Pentecost University College alumna who starred in Yvonne Nelson‘s films Heels and Sneakers and Selfie. She has appeared in prestigious comedy events in Nigeria and Ghana. These include, among others, Akwaaba UK Comedy Night, Comedy Bar, Silverbird Comedy Night, Corporate Comedy Series, MMC Live, Lord of the Ribs, Easter Comedy Show, Comedy Night with Buchi (Lagos), Shakara and the Gang (Lagos), Comedy Express, Girltalk, Laughline, Live Comedy Thursdays, and so on.
She has won several accolades, including the Ghana Tertiary Awards’ Most Influential Student Comedian, Most Popular Student, and Most Entertaining Student (2016).
