Ghanaian comedian Derrick Kobina Bonney, known widely as DKB, has shared his initial reservations and eventual enthusiasm regarding his performance at the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Youth Manifesto soiree held on August 12, 2024, at the Bukom Boxing Arena.
In an interview with aKorfa on Joy FM’s Cosmopolitan Mix, DKB revealed that he had hesitated when first approached to perform at the political event. “I nearly turned down the NDC gig at Bukom Arena. I was booked to perform and I told them it’s a political platform and they said I should just come and entertain the people. Because it’s very tricky when you are on political platforms,” he said. Despite his initial concerns, DKB decided to go ahead with the performance.
DKB admitted he was taken aback when former President John Mahama, who was present at the event, referenced his jokes during his speech. “It was very pleasant and shocking to me when John Mahama repeated two of my jokes on stage. I couldn’t sleep till morning. He’s captured my heart and right now I’m a presidential comedian,” DKB noted.
The comedian expressed no regrets about his decision to perform, explaining that Mahama’s admiration for his work had deeply impacted him. “It was one huge endorsement in my whole career and I have been through a lot in this country so if a President is talking about your joke and how he loves your joke, the only thing you can also do is to help him become President and realise his dream. So right now, I am fully pushing John Mahama. It doesn’t mean I hate NPP,” he added.
DKB’s support for Mahama aligns with a trend among some in the Ghanaian entertainment industry, with notable figures such as Big Akwes, Christiana Awuni, Mercy Asiedu, Jack Alolome, and Kofi Okyere Darko publicly backing the NDC ahead of the December 7, 2024 elections.
