Benson Nana Yaw Oduro Boateng, popularly known as Funny Face, is a Ghanaian comedian, actor and radio presenter. He was born in Jamestown, Accra. He attended God Wisdom Preparatory School and O’Reilly Senior High School. When he went to the UK in 2012, he teamed up with popular UK-based comedian Eddie Kadi to record the song ‘They doubted’. Funny Face has a strong social media presence. He has over 313,000 followers on Instagram, over 396,ooo followers on Twitter and over 1 million followers on his Facebook page. His love for children led him to organise the annual Funny Face Festival.
I interviewed Funny Face. He believes that Ghanaian artiste Castro, who disappeared in 2014, is still alive.
Phyllis Ntim: Tell me about how your journey started in comedy.
Funny Face: It started in 2006. I auditioned for Toli Masters. It was organized by Radio Gold, who were in search of upcoming comedians. I became the winner of Toli Masters 2006. So that is how it all started for me.
Phylli Ntim: What are the struggles you initially faced in your comedy career?
Funny Face: When I started, some people didn’t take me serious. It was difficult to please them. But thanks to God, it’s easy now.
Phyllis Ntim: Do you still do comedy?
Funny Face: Yes. I still do comedy.
Phyllis Ntim: What do you think of the Ghanaian comedy industry?
Funny Face: It’s picking up gradually. We’ll get there. I’m coming up with something nice, sweet and fantastic for the comedy industry in Ghana. It’s a surprise.
Phyllis Ntim: What triggered you to do music?
Funny Face: I like music and dancing. So basically, I wanted to do something that would make me happy.
Phyllis Ntim: How did you come in contact with Eddie Kadi?
Funny Face: Eddie Kadi is my good friend. He’s a wonderful friend. I met him in the UK through Dennis of Akwaaba UK.
Phyllis Ntim: You knew Castro. How was he in person?
Funny Face: Castro is such a wonderful friend. That’s why I believe he’s still alive.
Phyllis Ntim: Why do you think that he’s still alive? It’s been more than a year now since his disappearance.
Funny Face: I believe in my heart that he’s still alive. You know that kind of belief you can’t explain?
Phyllis Ntim: Yeah. Tell me about how you came up with the series Cow & Chicken.
Funny Face: Well, I just thought of something that would be fun and nice. And I decided to call Bismark and some other few actors and actresses so that we could do something together that would be fun.
Phyllis Ntim: What advice would you give to people who want to enter the film industry?
Funny Face: They should believe in themselves. They should know that above all, God is the ultimate one who can change their destiny. They should believe in God first and then in themselves.
Phyllis Ntim: What is the reason that you came up with the Funny Face Festival?
Funny Face: I like children so I decided to organise the festival for them.
Phyllis Ntim: In 2011, you disclosed on Hitz Entertaiment News that you were preparing to pursue your childhood dream of becoming a lawyer. So when are you planning to take a course in Law?
Funny Face: I’ll do it. I’m working on it.
Phyllis Ntim: In which field of Law do you want to specialize in?
Funny Face: Hehehe. That one is a secret. Hehehe.
Phyllis Ntim: Fuse ODG and Michael Blackson were in Ghana last year. You guys were chilling. I saw it via Fuse ODG’s snapchat. How was it like being in the presence of Fuse ODG and Michael Blackson?
Funny Face: It was cool. It was great, nice and lovely. If you study me well, I’m more of a secretive person and someone who likes surprising people. Michael Blackson and I are planning to come up with something nice.
Cow & Chicken is broadcasted every Sundays on the Ghanaian channel UTV from 7pm to 7:30pm.
