Lekzy DeComic’s ‘Onko’ Nickname Sparks Gym Routine

Ghanaian comedian Lekzy DeComic never expected a simple nickname from his nephew to make him rethink his age, his gym routine, and the subtle ways Ghanaians playfully tease one another. What began as a family joke has become a reflection on identity, culture, and the laughter that binds communities.

“My nephew started calling me ‘Onko’. Uncle is okay, but ‘Onko’? It’s on a higher level,” Lekzy said during an interview on What Dey Happen on ZED FM. “It makes me feel older. I had to hit the gym. I don’t know if it was something I was doing, but suddenly I felt the need to take better care of myself.”

Nicknames and playful teasing are a cornerstone of Ghanaian culture, often persisting despite protests. “One thing about Ghanaians is telling a Ghanaian to stop is almost impossible,” Lekzy explained. “It becomes your nickname. When I was in school, classmates would call me names I didn’t like. I’d say, ‘I don’t like this name,’ and they’d just continue. Eventually, it sticks, and it becomes part of who you are.”

Lekzy also commented on a viral story involving Charles Oppong, who reportedly was fined £1,400 by a young woman over being called “Aunty.” “If she had let it play out, he probably would have gotten tired and stopped calling her that,” he said, laughing. “Honestly, I feel like Aunty Naa should relocate. Her name is a gold mine! Imagine about a hundred people calling her that, it could even become a career.”

When it comes to men being called “uncle,” Lekzy notes it’s a different story. “Men don’t really mind being called uncle,” he said. “It almost becomes honorary. You see it with popular figures like Uncle Ebo and Uncle Ato, it doesn’t carry the same weight for men as it does for women.”

Lekzy’s reflections reveal how a small, everyday interaction can spark deeper thoughts about age, identity, and cultural norms. “Being called ‘Onko’ made me pause and think, maybe it’s time to take myself a bit more seriously,” he admitted. “At the end of the day, it’s all love but it does make you reflect on how time is passing and how we perceive ourselves.”

For Lekzy DeComic, nicknames are more than just playful labels. They are reminders of life’s fleeting moments, the laughter that connects families, and the gentle nudges that inspire self-awareness, whether it’s through a gym membership or simply seeing oneself through the eyes of others.