As a 25 year old Ghanaian, it still amazes me what happens around me everyday in this country. Yes, I was born and bred here; ii have not even seen the airport before, let alone gone out off this country so you can call me a veteran.
In Ghana, the basic transportation is «trotro» (minivan). Face it, it is cheaper than taxi and we don’t have trains like in India. The average Ghanaian can not afford hiring taxis because even our economy is not stable. Do not get me wrong, I love my country, but it is frustrating when one US dollar costs two Ghana cedis, the minimum job anyone can do here is selling and politicians want to be treated like gods when they do not do anything for the country when they are in power.
On the plus side, Ghanaians are very hospitable people, something foreigners tend to take advantage of, especially the Chinese. We love peace and unity, and we love football (soccer). Our love for this sport is legendary. With known names like Micheal Essien, Kevin prince Boateng, Abedi Ayew Pele and His son Dede Ayew, etc. I think some foreign countries did not know this country until the world cup.
In Ghana, we love our culture, a prime example will be the asantes in the Ashanti region. Otumfour osei Tutu II is the ASANTEHENE (chief of asantes) in my opinion is more revered than the prince of wales (no offense to the British). One has to see him, especially when it is time for their festival. He is adorned in gold from head to toe with our native cloth, «kente». The gold on him tends to weigh so much that his hands has to be held by his servants.
One thing though is that, Ghanaians tend to be copycats. With the help of tv and the world wide web, Ghanaian youth are becoming more westernized by the day. Our music genre highlife evolved to hiplife, with the help of the ‘godfather» Reggie Rockstone. Now the Ghanaian music industry is full of hip-hop, dance-hall and even niger music (beats from Nigeria). I do love these genres of music, in my opinion it is not good and proper to raise high the flag of other countries when it has become so easy for us nowadays to raise our flag.
This article is just an introductory one. ‘The Ghanaian way’ is going to be series of articles about Ghanaians and our society. the positive and the negative and the silliness.Opinions are like noses, everyone has one. this is mine. Till next time.