Ghana: The Talking Point

Ghanaian businessman and politician Mr Kennedy Agyapong regularly sits before the microphones at his Net2 TV station and shouts. Instead of asking his technicians to adjust the volume of his microphone so he can be heard by his audience better, he takes to shouting. Either he does not know how a microphone works, is of a confused mind or is telling lies, as the old German saying goes. Germans believe that someone who is on the right side of an argument does not need to shout, as the evidence in their words and presentation speaks for itself, revealing the truth of the matter. He constantly holds papers in front of the cameras claiming he has evidence against someone and that they would expose the wrongdoing of a certain person. Alexander de Robespierre, the leader of the Jacobins during the French Revolution, took to the same trick, ending his life by a failed suicide attempt and subsequently under the guillotine. Blackmailing someone is never a wise idea, but taking evidence to the police of State Attorney for them to solve the issue is. No need to make loud noise in public unless state authorities fail their mandate.

Daniel Obinim, a.k.a. Angel Obinim, takes his private issues with his wife to the media houses of Ghana. Daddy Lumba found his last resting place in the living room of one of his houses. The legal wife from Germany and the young mother he stayed with in Ghana for several years, having children with her, the Baby Mother, fight over the body of the famous Ghanaian singer and his properties, left and right.

Ghanaians, compared to most other countries in Europe, Italy is a prominent exception, wake up in the mornings discussing other people's matters and rest at night having made up their mind about other people´s matters. It makes critical observers wonder why.

Many outside factors fall under the term of foreign exploitation and interference, limiting or hindering the progress of Ghana. Most factors, nevertheless, are home-made. Besides corruption and mismanagement, lack of generational thinking, supporting each other in and as a nation, especially talented Ghanaians (avoid the pulling-down effect), having a plan and breaking it down into a strategy, discipline, being on time always and truthful/reliable, being organised and team players among other characteristics. The greatest sector Ghanaians waste time with is getting interested and involved in matters of others. They seem to take great pride in this hour-by-hour exercise. After one episode is over, another one is emerging and discussed in great length.

To think of personal and national future, how to improve processes and personal shortcomings, find ideas for products and services, open ways to find helpers, be silent for great length to hear the voice from God to get inspired about a better personal future is not on the mind of most Ghanaians. Do these people really want and believe in moving beyond today and their misery by discussing matters which are not of their concern and relevance?

To discuss matters of today (of others) instead of discussing and dreaming of tomorrow is the talking point of now, not the blessings of a better future.