By Ghana News

Copyright ghanamma

South African comedian Chris Merani has highlighted the universal appeal of comedy and its power to project Africa’s identity on the global stage.

Speaking on The Chat on Saturday, September 20, 2025, Merani explained that comedy is not only a tool for laughter but also a vehicle for cultural exchange and representation.

Being in Ghana for the first time, he explained that the country has done great work in pushing not only the name of the country but also comedy to the other parts of Africa, especially South Africa.

“Comedy is very universal. Already, there is a lot I’ve learnt about Ghana, firstly from Lexy Decomic on stage back in South Africa. So, when we export comedians as a country or as a continent, the world gets to see us,” he said.

Merani drew parallels with Trevor Noah’s success in the United States, noting how Noah introduced African perspectives to global audiences.

“In South Africa, we have Trevor Noah. When he went to the US, he had to perform and explain Africa to the world out there. Now comedians who are coming after him in that space do not have to do that again,” he said.

He added that Ghanaian comedians like Lexy Decomic are also blazing trails for others.

“With Lexy also coming to South Africa to explain Ghana, others who will come after him do not have to explain that again because he has already laid the foundation,” he noted.

According to Merani, this cross-cultural representation through comedy is gradually reshaping how Africa is perceived globally.