Ghanaian comedian, Derrick Kobina Bonney, popularly known as DKB, has opened up on the reason he wants John Mahama to win the next presidential election.

DKB recently performed on stage during the launch of the NDC’s Youth Manifesto soiree at the Bukom Boxing Arena.

The comedian said he was shocked and excited when the NDC’s flagbearer performed two of his jokes after his performance during the manifesto launch.

According to him, this is an indication that John Mahama will show support and attention to comedy in Ghana if he wins the elections.

“Then John Mahama comes on stage and he retells two of my jokes. JM didn’t miss a single word in the joke, you can see he has imbibed it. After the joy of the President telling two of my jokes, I was like what can I do to appreciate him?
“If he has endorsed me and taken my job seriously, it means that if he becomes President, he can pay attention to comedy and for what he has done for me, I think it is only right for me to want him to become the President.”
DKB

The comedian disclosed that initially, he had planned to decline the request from the party. “NDC wanted me to do an opening comedy performance. One week, I didn’t mind them and I didn’t want to politicize my life,” he said.

However, he accepted to perform but with specific conditions.

“After one week, I got back to them and gave them conditions that I was not going to be political, that I wouldn’t send any campaign message and they were like I should just come and entertain the people.
“Not knowing after my performance, it was John Mahama. So, when I got off stage, I asked myself, did I open for the former President? This is a big thing for me.”
DKB

The comedian also acknowledged the challenge of being a politician in Ghana.

He says since he decided to join politics to support the National Democratic Congress openly, he has had several demands on him which was not the case.

Apart from attending to the demands of people, people he owes also are on his case and need their money just because they think he has made money from the National Democratic Congress.

“I’ve not even gotten closer to cash to forget anybody. I woke up the following morning, and half of the money NDC gave me was gone. That is where I realized people with political power suffer.
“People called me to take their money. Politicians are suffering. Somebody’s wife is going to give birth they are calling among other demands. I told them their challenge is premium so they should go to Sam George and others.”
DKB

DKB Cautions Prince David Osei

The Ghanaian comedian advised his colleague, Prince David Osei, to tread carefully following the latter’s premature declaration of his presidential ambitions.

In a recent social media post, Prince David Osei revealed his desire to become Ghana’s President, stating that he feels destined for the role.

However, DKB described the announcement as a “wrong move”. “That’s the wrong thing to do. Don’t say it to the hearing of your opponent. I told him, ‘Really? At this age, you are declaring already?’” he said.

He explained that such early declarations in the political arena could lead rivals to target Prince David Osei before he even begins his preparations.

“What happens is, the radar will be on you. Because some people are prepared to be next. If they calculate and see that in twelve years, you will be ready to contest, they will say, ‘We have to finish you before you get there,’ you’ve caught trouble for yourself. They start cutting your legs even before you begin preparations.”
DKB

DKB further advised creatives in the political space to avoid attacking the opposition party during endorsements, stating that such behavior could negatively impact their careers.

“As a popular person, what I’ve learned is that if you’re going to compete for somebody to win, don’t ever insult the opposition. Don’t attack the opposition.
“Kalybos is an NPP boy, but we don’t even remember. Even after the election, you forget that he campaigned every time. He does not insult, he just does his endorsement and goes.”
DKB

DKB’s comments come as the nation gears up for its general elections on December 7, 2024.

As the date approaches, political campaigns are intensifying, with politicians employing various strategies to woo voters.