Ghanaian TikToker Ebenezer Arthur, popularly known as Deaconess Abokomah, has become one of the country’s most recognised online comedians, famous for portraying a witty, old-fashioned Fanti woman with a mix of humour and nostalgia.
But behind the laughter lies a story of perseverance, limited support and an unshakable dream to do more.
Despite his growing online fame, Deaconess says his biggest challenge remains the lack of financial and logistical support to expand his craft into larger productions.
“I wish I could turn my skits into movies, but getting the resources and capital to start is really difficult,” he told Graphic Showbiz in an interview.
“The little I earn goes into taking care of my family and my small team. It’s not as easy as people think. I’m still struggling with nothing, but I pray God touches someone’s heart to support me.”
Deaconess Abokomah’s skits, which celebrate Ghanaian culture, language and family life — have won him thousands of followers.
He says his inspiration comes from childhood memories of living with grandparents and observing the mannerisms of older women in his community.
“Most of the content I create brings back memories from our old days when we lived with our mothers and grandmothers,” he explained.
“I don’t create content to attract negativity; I just want people to laugh and remember where we come from.”
However, his work has not been without criticism. Some trolls attack him for cross-dressing, a central element of his comedic brand. Yet Deaconess insists there’s nothing immoral about it.
“It’s the work we do. The outfits fit the characters we portray. Once the cameras go off, we return to our real lives. It’s strictly for entertainment,” he said.
While he brushes off most online hate, Deaconess admits he has occasionally faced real-life threats.
“A guy once warned me in Takoradi, saying, ‘Wait for the bill to pass in Parliament and you’ll see what I’ll do to you.’ I just ignored him and walked away,” he recalled.
“Sometimes we get insults in the comments too, on our social media pages, but I’ve learned to focus on the positive side.”
Deaconess’s humour often hides real struggle. At 32, he remains single and focused on supporting his family — including his younger sister studying physiotherapy at KNUST and his grandmother, who sometimes needs medical care.
“I’m not married, and I don’t have kids. My family is okay with what I do because it puts food on the table. Marriage and raising children come with major responsibilities — school fees, bills, everything. I can’t take that on right now,” he admitted.
He also revealed that TikTok is his main source of income, though he occasionally takes up emceeing, karaoke gigs and advertising contracts. (Read A guy threatened to deal with me when anti-gay bill is passed- Deaconess Abokomah)
“TikTok opened many doors. I’ve hosted events like the Diamond Divas White Party in London and done advertisements in Dubai. I still have business plans, but financial challenges have made me pause for now,” he shared.
A defining part of his brand is his signature cloth, which fans have come to love.
“My mom gave me different clothes to wear, but anytime I try to change, fans ask me to go back to the old ones,” he laughed. “They’re all GTP, and that brand reminds people of our mothers. So, I kept it as my identity.”
Through it all, Deaconess remains committed to creating clean, relatable content.
“People should understand that we are here to entertain,” he said. “My videos are family-friendly and carry moral lessons. I want people to laugh, feel happy and maybe even forget their worries for a while.”
With a mix of humour, humility and hard work, Deaconess Abokomah continues to prove that comedy can both entertain and uplift — even without glitz, glamour or big budgets.
“Your happiness is my concern,” he said with a smile. “That’s why I do what I do.”
