My visit to Spain last year was a turning point in my life. the plan was just to go study, have fun, enjoy the culture and come back to gloomy old Ghana as i call it. So 8 months after my return here i am, the spanish babe - some nicknamed me the spanish fly. lol.
Three months in Spain seemed long enough to do some self reflections, self confrontations and my favourite, catharsis of my soul. Before i left i wasn't so much a big fun of Ghana. I love Africa but am still working on Ghana, if you know what i mean. I don't know if the feeling about Ghana in another man's country is pride, i didn't feel proud at all, rather shame. Walking through the streets of Alicante (Spain) i couldn't help myself compare that small tourist town to the whole of Ghana. The tarred roads, organization of the town, the low cost of living, the clean beaches and the beautiful culture, all seemed better than Ghana, even the people.
I'm not a typical Ghanaian, and as such had my own reservations about this nation and its people. As a critical thinker in a country like Ghana, i am misunderstood, misconstrued and singled out. You will not be forgiven for going contrary to the status quo - am back in Ghana and the situation is even worse. Say it as it is and you are given all sorts of names, cover up the reality and you are on course.
In 2009 I had a discussion with some African friends in Geneva, Switzerland. They asked me a question i have been mulling over for a long time. Why are Ghanaians hypocrites? As frank as my name suggests i couldn't but agree with them. They were amazed at my reaction. Typical of Ghanaians they expected me to be on the defensive as ghanaians they had met earlier had been - maybe.
Now for those who may think i don't know what am talking about just read on. Why are ghanaians hypocrites? I'll tell you what, from my observation of the few different cultures i have encountered, no country has failed to appreciate confidence like Ghana. In my country, the word confident is almost extinct, what exists is "too known" which means for ghanaians overconfidence. Technically "too known" is incorrect but it is used contextually and for me detrimental to the development of young ghanains. Too known ghanaians, myself included have been embraced and commended for our confidence (right word) in other parts of the world.
Why are we (ghanaians) hypocrites? I still don't have an answer to that question. Whoever has should be kind enough to share. But as a young critical thinker i say to like minded amigos...be confident and damn those who call you "too known".
Three months in Spain seemed long enough to do some self reflections, self confrontations and my favourite, catharsis of my soul. Before i left i wasn't so much a big fun of Ghana. I love Africa but am still working on Ghana, if you know what i mean. I don't know if the feeling about Ghana in another man's country is pride, i didn't feel proud at all, rather shame. Walking through the streets of Alicante (Spain) i couldn't help myself compare that small tourist town to the whole of Ghana. The tarred roads, organization of the town, the low cost of living, the clean beaches and the beautiful culture, all seemed better than Ghana, even the people.
I'm not a typical Ghanaian, and as such had my own reservations about this nation and its people. As a critical thinker in a country like Ghana, i am misunderstood, misconstrued and singled out. You will not be forgiven for going contrary to the status quo - am back in Ghana and the situation is even worse. Say it as it is and you are given all sorts of names, cover up the reality and you are on course.
In 2009 I had a discussion with some African friends in Geneva, Switzerland. They asked me a question i have been mulling over for a long time. Why are Ghanaians hypocrites? As frank as my name suggests i couldn't but agree with them. They were amazed at my reaction. Typical of Ghanaians they expected me to be on the defensive as ghanaians they had met earlier had been - maybe.
Now for those who may think i don't know what am talking about just read on. Why are ghanaians hypocrites? I'll tell you what, from my observation of the few different cultures i have encountered, no country has failed to appreciate confidence like Ghana. In my country, the word confident is almost extinct, what exists is "too known" which means for ghanaians overconfidence. Technically "too known" is incorrect but it is used contextually and for me detrimental to the development of young ghanains. Too known ghanaians, myself included have been embraced and commended for our confidence (right word) in other parts of the world.
Why are we (ghanaians) hypocrites? I still don't have an answer to that question. Whoever has should be kind enough to share. But as a young critical thinker i say to like minded amigos...be confident and damn those who call you "too known".
good write up i'll say... personally, i care less what people tend to categorize me as... cheers!
ReplyDeletethis is the country that names and accepts the code name "Black" with all proneness and confidence. they say we are hypocrites and if that is what makes them Saints,then i guess we very much appreciate how far this country has come.they call it hypocrisy,we call it poise,standards,brashness,certainty, courage,daring in ,resolution to be known,firmness,black spirit, tenacity. and another thing, Ghana is a Brand they yearn to come see.
ReplyDeletethanks for the write up.