Outstanding Ghanaian stand-up comedienne, Jacinta Ocansey has stated unequivocally that the Ghanaian Comedy Industry has been ‘overlooked’.
Having been on various stand-up comedy stages across the country, Jacinta claimed it is sad that various corporate institutions and the government haven’t turned to comedy as an avenue to sell Ghana abroad.
Speaking with host Ibrahim Ben-Bako on Joy Prime’s Red Carpet Entertainment Review, the female comedienne urged the Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture Mrs Catherine Afeku to invest in comedy to sell Ghana’s culture abroad.
She added that, the future of Ghana’s comedy will also be immensely uplifted if duly patronized by the citizenry.
“I would not say its stopping. I think it’s slowing. I will urge the corporate institutions to invest in comedy. Its sad comedy is never looked at when it comes to events. We look at music, movies, fashion but comedy is downplayed. I will encourage Arts ministry to invest in it as a form of exporting the nation’s culture…” she said.
“Because of comedy we have known the culture of other people and that helps is to educate one another: it’s a form of learning. We can sell the Ghanaian culture and art to other parts of the world. I want to be in other countries and due to comedy people know more about us. We can sell Ghana to the other part of the world in a comic way…” she stressed.
Asked how it feels like to be the first female stand-up comedian in Ghana, she said, it puts a lot of pressure on her but also motivates her to be in the limelight.
“It makes me outstanding but it’s puts a lot of pressure on me. People expect me to do more than the guys. They feel it’s for the men so they want more than that. But I think it’s a plus in the sense that as a lady I be myself and counter things easily…|”
Jacinta further encouraged young talented girls who are looking up to her to work hard, be persistent and consistent until they cut through regardless the critics that will likely burst their bubbles.
“I will only encourage young girls to take the career if they have the talent. It’s painful when someone demoralizes you due to certain painful remarks. The heart, talent, consistency and readiness can push them through. It’s a very good thing to do to make people happy. We need more women in this game to excel…” she maintained.