Ace Ghanaian comedians, Fritz Baffour and Mikki Osei Berko will be making a sensational return to standup comedy this December, the pair have announced.
It will be the first appearance on the standup comedy stage for both in nearly two decades. The duo will be performing live alongside DKB and headline act, OB Amponsah at the ‘Popular But Broke all-star standup’ special next month.
According to a statement from the organizers of the event, the quartet represents comedy royalty from four distinct generations respectively. It noted that never in the history of Ghanaian comedy have four different generations of comics performed live on the same set.
Fritz Baffour and Mikki Osei Berko, who is popularly called Master Richard, represent two of the brightest comedians from the first and second generations respectively. The ‘Fritz and friends primetime comedy show’ and Master Richard’s famed ‘Taxi Driver’ soap com are two of the biggest television shows in Ghanaian comedy history.
It is worth noting that Fritz Baffour, is the first comedian to launch a successful political career, having been elected to Ghana’s parliament before going on to become the Minister of Information in 2012 under the late Evans Atta-Mills government. He is also credited to have first brought Nigerian comedy legend, Ali Baba to Ghana.
Fritz Baffour’s younger contemporary, Mikki Osei Berko is also recognized as Ghana’s first truly multifaceted comedian, credited with transitioning from stage to film and media with remarkable distinction. His exceptional ability to combine the English language with the local dialect and evolution from orthodox standup to other forms of the craft revolutionized the industry and served as a valid blueprint for peers and future generations.
‘Popular but Broke’ special is Ghana’s first-ever All-Star comedy night featuring four different comedy generations. The chance to standup again after nearly two decades at such a historic event will represent another landmark achievement for the legendary pair.
Meanwhile, comedians Fritz Baffour, Mikki Osei Berko, Derick Kobina Bonney [DKB], and OB Amponsah demanded investment and support from the government and stakeholders towards the formation of a substantial comedy industry.
The quartet jointly made the call during a recent one-piece podcast centered on discussing the state of Ghanaian comedy and addressing its challenges.
Discussing a wide variety of subjects affecting the comedy sector, the stars called for the need to create value for the sector and improve the art. The discourse centered on “the good, the bad and brighter days of comedy” with the panelists discussing the rise, decline, dark days of comedy, and its recent renaissance. All four also signed a memorandum to aid and front the formation of a recognized body to represent and protect the interests of the sector and its stakeholders within the creative space.
It is worth mentioning that the 60-minute podcast is an OB Amponsah initiative leading to the launch of his ‘Popular but Broke’ standup special scheduled for 11th December 2021, at the National Theatre.
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