From gags to glory: How Joy Prime’s “On A More Serious Note” became Ghana’s top comedy show

On a Friday evening, just as the stress of the workweek starts to peak and Ghanaians begin searching for comic relief, a quirky disclaimer flashes across TV screens on Joy Prime:
“This programme is not to be taken seriously… unless we’re being serious. Which is rare.”

What follows is On A More Serious Note, a cleverly chaotic mix of satire, parody and pure comedic madness—now officially Ghana’s TV Comedy Programme of the Year, as crowned by the 2025 Ghana Comedy Awards.

The victory is no small feat. The show clinched the top spot ahead of strong contenders like GhOne’s Half Serious Show and UTV’s The Real News. But according to fans and producers alike, the win is a reflection of something Joy Prime has been steadily building over the past year: a comedy format that doesn’t just mock the news—it reimagines it.

At the centre of the storm are two distinctly dynamic hosts: the fast-talking KMJ and the razor-sharp Amelley Djosu, popularly known as Saminiwaa. Together, they steer the show with a rhythm that swings between hilarious banter and absurd reenactments of real headlines.

Supporting them is a revolving door of comic relief including stand-up comedian Eyiram, whose dry humour has become a fan favourite, and blogger Kofi Xerda, known for his spicy opinions and even spicier punchlines.

Each week, the team tackles trending news stories—whether political gaffes, celebrity controversies, or social media madness—and spins them into laughter-fuelled skits that mirror the chaos of Ghanaian life, only funnier.

“We’re basically your weekend news, but on palm wine,” one panellist joked after the show’s win.

From debut to dominance

The show found its voice in its refusal to be boxed in. Every Friday at 8 p.m., viewers came for the unpredictability and stayed for the laughter.

Launched in October 2023, On A More Serious Note marked its first anniversary just months before its award win—an impressive milestone for a show that started as an experimental attempt to blend panel discussions with sketch comedy.

Initially, viewers were unsure what to make of it. Was it a news show? A parody? A live theatre piece on live TV?

Eventually, it didn’t matter. The show found its voice in its refusal to be boxed in. Every Friday at 8 p.m., viewers came for the unpredictability and stayed for the laughter.

“We knew we were onto something special when even politicians started calling to ask when they were being spoofed next,” KMJ once quipped.

Comedy with a disclaimer

Despite the jokes, the team insists they take their craft—and their audience—seriously. The show always opens with a disclaimer warning viewers not to take anything personally. It’s comedy, but with purpose.

“We’re not out to insult anyone,” Saminiwaa explains. “We’re here to hold up a mirror, but make it hilarious.”

Whether through mimicked speeches, reenactments of awkward interviews, or live studio dramatizations of Twitter scandals, On A More Serious Note thrives by doing what few shows dare to: poking fun at Ghana’s most sensitive stories and getting away with it—barely.

What’s next for the comedy kings (and queen)?

With an award under their belt and a growing fanbase, the team is not slowing down. There are talks of live audience recordings, digital spin-offs, and even taking the format across other African countries.

For now, though, the plan is simple: keep Ghana laughing.

“We just want to give people something to look forward to at the end of a long week,” Eyiram says. “If we can help them laugh through the madness, we’ve done our job.”

As the credits roll each week on Joy Prime, one thing is clear: On A More Serious Note may not take itself seriously—but the rest of Ghana certainly does.

Tune in to Joy Prime every Friday at 8 p.m. for fresh episodes of On A More Serious Note. Laughter guaranteed. Sanity optional.

You can watch some episodes here:

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DISCLAIMER: The Views, Comments, Opinions, Contributions and Statements made by Readers and Contributors on this platform do not necessarily represent the views or policy of Multimedia Group Limited.