OB Amponsah, a popular Ghanaian comedian, shared a hilarious anecdote about his early days as a car owner during a live appearance on Asaase Radio’s VroomWithShecanic. The story, which quickly resonated with audiences, captures the amusing and often relatable blunders that accompany novel experiences, particularly the transition into car ownership. Amponsah’s narrative is a charming blend of excitement, naiveté, and the inevitable comedic mishap.
The tale begins with Amponsah’s purchase of his first car on a Thursday. Lacking driving experience at the time, he enlisted a friend to drive the newly acquired vehicle home. This initial reliance on a more experienced driver underscores Amponsah’s fresh foray into the world of automobiles, setting the stage for the humorous events to follow. The thrill of ownership, however, quickly outweighed his inexperience, leading him to a decision that would become the crux of his comical narrative.
Driven by the desire to display his new possession, Amponsah resolved to drive himself to church the following Saturday, eschewing his usual mode of transport, the trotro (a privately owned minibus used for public transportation in Ghana). “I didn’t want to take a trotro while I have gotten myself a new car,” he explained, capturing the pride and novelty of first-time car ownership. His arrival at church in his gleaming new vehicle did not go unnoticed, fulfilling his initial intention of showcasing his accomplishment to his fellow church members. However, this moment of pride would soon be overshadowed by a humorous turn of events.
Following the church service, Amponsah, in a moment of utter forgetfulness, unwittingly boarded a trotro headed home, completely oblivious to the fact that he had driven to church in his own car. The realization of his blunder dawned on him only when the trotro conductor requested his fare. Reaching into his pocket, he encountered the unmistakable presence of his car key. “Oh no, I left my car at the church!” he exclaimed, a realization that drew immediate laughter from the audience both during the live show and in subsequent retellings. The image of a newly minted car owner, proudly driving to church only to return home via public transport, encapsulates the comedic heart of the story.
The narrative doesn’t end with the initial realization. Amponsah, now acutely aware of his oversight, had to embark on yet another trotro journey, this time back to the church to retrieve his abandoned vehicle. The added layer of having to retrace his steps by public transport, after having specifically avoided it earlier, further amplifies the humor of the situation. Despite the mild embarrassment, Amponsah handled the incident with good humor, explaining his forgetfulness to his fellow trotro passengers by attributing it to the novelty of car ownership. This lighthearted approach, admitting his novice mistake with a laugh, transforms a potentially embarrassing situation into a relatable and amusing anecdote.
The story’s widespread appeal stems from its relatability. Many can identify with the excitement and occasional blunders that accompany first-time experiences. Amponsah’s narrative, through its humorous depiction of a simple oversight, serves as a reminder that such moments, while sometimes embarrassing, are often the most memorable and contribute to the rich tapestry of life’s experiences. The tale of the forgotten car transcends a simple anecdote, becoming a shared experience that evokes laughter and resonates with anyone who has navigated the often-comical learning curve of a new endeavor. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling and the universality of human experience, particularly the humor found in the everyday mishaps that often accompany new beginnings.
