The Erroneous Impression Of All Times…Captivity Of The City Mentality

It is deeply entrenched in our society given that it has been passed on from generation to generation. A thought deeply etched on the minds and psyches of our people which might be a little herculean to disabuse. I initially thought this line of thinking may have been infused courtesy the many hours our folks spend watching Nollywood movies. But then, it dawned on me:'it is a doctrine that has been preached and imparted from antiquity to today'. I am trying to bring attention to what I christened the 'city mentality' with the help of a great friend.

Our people are of the view that nothing good or worthwhile can be done in the village. To them, the city holds the key to one's progress and that of the entire family. Children when growing up are advised to start thinking of leaving the village for greener pastures in 'esteemed' cities. Cities are perceived as saviours, redeemers and reformers. This is a view or stance I would vehemently reject on any day and proceed to emancipate others from its entanglement. A pseudo view has transcended generations of old and even threatens outlasting our times.

Today, our cities are covered with extreme filth. The stench in our cities have reached unimaginable heights but surprisingly, our people are still ready to kill themselves to get to those cities to find greener pastures. Rural-urban migration has reared and continues to rear its ugly head beyond the safe confines of Social Studies textbooks. People are roaming the streets of Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, et al looking for non-existent jobs, because they have been lied to. They have been falsely indoctrinated that they can't succeed in their villages. Should discerning citizens sit idly by and watch our potentially creative, innovative and ingenious minds mortgage their futures to nothingness? The real problem is when discerning people allow falsehood to thrive.

In the 21st century, opportunities abound for all who can think and provide solutions to problems in their societies regardless of location. Advances in telecommunications and ICT has provided somewhat of a level-playing field. The world rewards people who provide solutions to problems.

Our villages provide a lot of opportunities in terms of arable and fertile lands for agriculture, services awaiting to be brought on-stream to provide solutions to existing problems, etc. But we don't see all this because the 'system' has poisoned our minds that nothing good can come from the village, making us fixated on illusionary city prospects. We have become 'one way' thinkers with no idea that more viable alternatives exist.

In the village, we breathe better air, have lots of space and sanitary conditions exist for the individual to creatively engage his mind, dream big and take actions a day at a time to ensure the realization of those dreams. For those of us in the village, we can truthfully tell you that a lot of courage is needed to stay and blossom in the village. It was Von Goethe who said “What you dream you can, or think you can do, begin it! Boldness has genius, power and magic in it”. You need extreme courage to go against an established dogma and entrenched status quo.

You may look down on people living in the village because you reside in the city, but it only tells me one thing – you have a shallow mind. One that must be cured with a self-conscious and advertent effort at enlightenment. To my peers living in the village, brighten your corners where you are. You may be in a forgotten corner of the country or world, but when you see a problem, creatively engineer solutions and unleash those solutions to make your society better;the world would hear of you.

I live in Agbozume in the Ketu South District of the Volta region of Ghana. Puzzling looks are immediately noticeable on the faces of those who get to know that I reside in Agboville. To them, 'what the hell is a guy like Paul Edem Kuenyefu doing in this good-for-nothing village?' Well, my response is that progress can be engineered from anywhere.

What I don't usually tell them is that even from Agbozume, I consult for clients within and without Ghana (USA, UK) on business and academic matters, write books and speak to varied audiences in Ghana and beyond. This I do with my God-given brains, drive, library, laptop and modem (internet connectivity). I am not alone – I have friends who stay in villages and are seasoned entrepreneurs manufacturing food products, providing carriage services and nurturing minds as well as inspiring genius in many.

Continue to think that your success is only in the city and you'll consign your fate to imminent disaster!

Help correct the long-perpetuated, yet pseudo ideology!

Paul Edem Kuenyefu, is a Conference Speaker, Writer, Lay Preacher and Business Strategist. He is the author of 'TO THE ZENITH', a motivational piece.

Email:
pedem99 [at]gmail[dot]com