Ajax Bukana
About Ajax Bukana
Ajax Bukana, born James Kehinde Ajayi, was a Nigerian-born musician and comedian regarded as the first Ghanaian state comedian. He played with Nigerian musicians such as Bobby Benson and was an octobassist before settling in Ghana in 1952. In Accra he began finding fame in 1958 for his juggling aerobatics, jokes, and dance, and he led the jive dancers who welcomed jazz musician Louis Armstrong to Ghana on his Africa tour. He caught the attention of Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah, who in 1963 sent him to the Russian Circus School, and he became Ghana's national comedian in 1964. He was briefly imprisoned following Nkrumah's overthrow in 1966 and later established the satirical Mosquito Production Party in 1969. Ajax Bukana died at the age of 89 in 2006 in Accra.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Ajax Bukana?
Ajax Bukana was a Nigerian-born musician and comedian who settled in Ghana in 1952 and is regarded as the first Ghanaian state comedian.
What was Ajax Bukana's real name?
Ajax Bukana was the stage name of James Kehinde Ajayi, the Nigerian-born entertainer who became Ghana's national comedian in 1964.
What made Ajax Bukana famous in Accra?
From 1958 he drew attention in Accra with an act mixing juggling aerobatics, jokes and dance, and he led the jive dancers who greeted jazz musician Louis Armstrong on his Africa tour.
What was Ajax Bukana's connection to Kwame Nkrumah?
Ghana's first president Kwame Nkrumah noticed his act and in 1963 sent him to the Russian Circus School; a year later Bukana became Ghana's national comedian.
Did Ajax Bukana play music before comedy?
Before settling in Ghana he worked as a musician: he was an octobassist and played with Nigerian musicians such as Bobby Benson.
What was the Mosquito Production Party?
The Mosquito Production Party was a satirical party that Ajax Bukana established in 1969.
When did Ajax Bukana die?
Ajax Bukana died in 2006 at the age of 89 in Accra, the city where his fame as an entertainer had begun.
