Ghanaian comedian Lekzy DeComic has raised a concern about middle men in corporate institutions who make seeking sponsorship difficult for creative brands.

Speaking at the third edition of Joy FM's Showbiz Roundtable which was held at the Labadi Beach Hotel on July 29, 2023, he said he had had experience with companies which had middle men take 'kickback', leaving him with a paltry amount of money to take care of his show.

Lekzy who organises an annual comedy show said that this act is affecting the work of event organisers.

“Do corporate entities in this country actually know that sometimes when we come to them for them to sponsor us, the budget we write on our proposal, they have certain individuals in their company who will tell you to top it up a little so they could forward it to the topmost bosses. Before the budget comes to you they tell you their bosses didn’t even agree to the figures," he said.

He added that there have been instances where after the show, when they went for their money and the original amount has been totally slashed down.

“There have been instances that you will finish the show, you go back and find out the money that was supposed to be 100, 000 cedis that came down to 80,000 cedis, that reduced to 50,000 cedis, finally they are telling you that they can only do 20,000 cedis," he noted.

According to Lekzy they are unable to go back to complain to the topmost bosses because they would still need that little money to fund their show.

Responding to him, Procurement Expert, Kobina Atta-Bedu, said that it is unethical to take 'kickback'.

“We have what we call Code of Business Conduct. If you deal with an organisation that I work in and anybody says that to you, come and tell me. I will get the person fired the next day. 

There is opportunity for corruption. And for corruption to perpetuate it is not a one person activity. It is normally a clique. And for business people if you don’t identify that clique and break it, your business will suffer,” he said. 

‘Showbiz Roundtable’ is a Joy FM event comprising an assembly of creative arts people, held periodically to address thought leadership conversations. 

The third edition, themed ‘securing sponsorship for events and creative content’, had panel members like Baba Sadiq - Founder : Regina Ofori, Brand Director and Consummate Marketer, 3Music TV & WILDALAND Fest, Latif Abubakar - Playwright & CEO of Globe productions, Ivan Quashiga - Film Maker, Creative Director &  Founder of Farmhouse Productions and Kobina Atta-Bedu, Procurement Expert And Management Consultant. 

The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mark Okraku Mantey was the guest speaker for the 3rd edition.

The keynote speakers were playwright and author Uncle Ebo Whyte and Bright Ladzekpo, CEO at PH Media Ghana Ltd. 

The third edition of the programme was moderated by the host of ‘Showbiz A-Z’, Kwame Dadzie, Joy News’ Noella Kharyne Yalley as MC. 

‘Showbiz Roundtable’ was powered by Showbiz A-Z and supported by Joy Entertainment.