Adama Dahico
Adama Dahico, born Adama Dolo, is an Ivorian comedian, actor and man of the theatre, one of the most popular comic performers in Côte d'Ivoire. Television audiences know him from Ma famille, the hugely successful Ivorian sitcom, and his stage and video shows have made him a household name across the country. Dahico's comedy has long been sold on cassette, CD and DVD. In 1999 he won the trophy for the best-selling cassette in Côte d'Ivoire, along with the Kilimanjaro Prize for best comic actor. His DVD series include Le Mariage de Doh Kanon, Je suis candidat and the long-running Maquis le Dromikan, which reached at least seven volumes. He has also released recordings mixing music and humour, among them Campagne électorale, Le diagnostic, Ambiance Dahico and Ambiance de presse (2012) and Le chef classe, Les impôts pour tous, Reggae Dai and Encore toi sida (2014). His work has brought a long list of honours. The daily Fraternité Matin named him third man of the year in Côte d'Ivoire in 1998. In 2005 he was made an honorary citizen of Agboville. In 2006 he won the Djembé d'or for best African comic actor in Conakry, Guinea, on 3 November, the Ivorian Grand Prix for Letters in the humour and comics category on 14 October, and the Yéhé NGO trophy in November. He received a medal of honour from the American Splar Foundation in 2008 for his contribution to the development of humour, was twice named best humorist of Côte d'Ivoire at the Haut de Gamme awards, in December 2008 and January 2009, and was voted model artist of the year for 2008. The United States embassy in Côte d'Ivoire gave him a diploma of honour for cultural action, and the International Interreligious Federation named him an ambassador for peace. He has used his popularity for public health campaigns, as a member of REPMASCI, the network of media and arts professionals committed to the fight against AIDS and other pandemics. In 2010 he became the first Ivorian artist to stand in a presidential election, receiving 5,972 votes, or 0.9 per cent.
