Without contempt, I can boldly say the default Ghanaian mindset works in an absurd manner and probably, some of the important connecting wires which help in critical thinking and truth seeking have been damaged.
How can a country be full of people who entertain such a deep revulsion for truth and rather, glorify ourselves in lies—presenting false as true and constantly oppressing the truth and those who decide to break away from the populace trait, to say the truth?
Ironic, every Ghanaian knows the real truth behind whatever situation at any point in time but for some incomprehensible reason, we see majority of people peddling lies and defending to death propaganda while pushing the truth into the dark.
Even though multiple propagation of false does not make the claim being spread true, it surely distorts events and portrays those championing that course as dishonest individuals with inherent hatred for truth. This is what each day has become in Ghana—no one wants to hear or say the truth.
From our politicians to the journalists (not forgetting the pastors) the truth is never said but vigorous efforts are made each day to feed the targets with well thought-of forged information.
At first, I thought most Ghanaians are lazy when it comes to truth searching but then I realized, it is something coded into our DNA. Even if the true lies as obvious as the sun in front of us, we will turn a blind eye to it and still call it the moon.
Therefore, it is not a case where you would argue that, it is difficult to find the truth in certain circumstances; it is a case of the ordinary Ghanaian loathing the truth and loving the lie.
If it is vividly black, a Ghanaian will say it is blue black. Mostly such a person will have something to gain and sometimes, will be covering up for someone else—forgetting that no matter the joules of energy pumped into hiding the truth, it will eventually find it way to top.
There is no amount of honesty left in our minds and we do not regard truth as the cornerstone of morality or a debt we owe one another as people.
Our inherent detest for telling and hearing the truth has taken centre stage in whatever we do—handing over awards and praises to people who we agree in our hearts as unworthy of them. And defending people whose actions or omissions do not warrant any bit of support, except condemnation…
It is what it is and it has become the dominating club with people who take the risk to speak out the truth being instantaneously branded traitors—the Ghanaian word for such people is ‘HATERS’.
Everyone who speaks the truth or loves to hear the truth is tagged a HATER in Ghana and for as little as 100 GHS, a Ghanaian will do all within his or her reach to oppress the truth and give relevance to falsehood. If it is “A”, a Ghanaian will prefer to say it is “Q” and if you dare state the obvious, you will forever remain in his or her book of enemies. Even at hell, he or she will continue to call you a hater and your crime will be simple—just because you said the obvious truth.
Over the years, I’ve had countless people come to me and say, “Chris this is Ghana, you cannot write like that and you cannot say this or that, though we all know you saying the truth”. And then I get confused; what can I say then? So if something is visibly bad, I am not allowed to say it, I should just ignore it as if I’ve not seen it or just lie and say, it is good.
I understand the underlying consequence. If I peddle lies, not only will I not hurt anyone or be worried about the hovering darkness, I will also have good friends (those doing bad that cannot be said).
I cannot mention the number of times journalists and other writers have said to me, “Chris you are able to run GhanaCelebrities.Com on the pillars of ‘truth telling’ and saying it as it is because as the Editor, you do not live in Ghana. If you did, there was no way you could possibly put out there some of the truths you say”. Do you catch the threatening nature of the situation?
Considering the premise that Ghana ‘flourishes’ on lies and has a population of lying bastards, I perfectly understand where these people are coming from. It is easier and profitable to lie in Ghana than to engage in any sort of enterprise that ‘champions’ truth telling. Even in the West, standing for the hardcore truths has its own consequences—think of Julian Assange, Edward Snowden and others…
If you’ve been thinking the Ghanaian has difficulty in separating lies from truths, then you’ve been lost for long. We just by choice have decided to be liars, while welcoming falsehood with open arms—in the face of all the merits and honour associated with championing the ‘truth cause’.
Ghana is in such a mess, with no hope for things getting better because we failed to tell ourselves the obvious truths and we continue to do the same. Most Ghanaians have sold their conscience to those who can pay them its low value—making them stooges to the throne of lies.
The Ghanaian hates saying what is true, just as he/she hates being told the truth. It’s always been this, if you don’t want to be crashed, join the bystanders and put your hands behind your back—and pretend as if nothing atrocious is happening. Even if you like, you can close your eyes and sing out some hymns…
Chris the reason why I read your articles and blog is your frankness something most Ghanaian bloggers and journalist don’t have. Most of the journalists and bloggers we have in ghana are all following politicians and celebrities for some little money so they can’t say anything their pay masters don’t like.
Good article as always
i like this.it is so sad when pple obviously know the truth and still hold on to falsehood….U bloggers shld hail them truth seekers by writing about them to make all who read ur post know about it and embarrass those lies seekers. Those socialites who are acting as role models in the Ghanaian society are hypocrites to the extend that when some among them speak the truth, they are being tagged as arrogant, cocky and disrespectful pple…..so sad
I have had the opportunity to meet other people from other countries all over the world and i can tell you, the Ghanaian is the least person you can trust. An average Ghanaian is a pretender and coward. They will hide in their rooms and complain but will come out to praise the same person they are complaining about. We always want to appear good in front of people. Sometimes i ask myself whether it is in our DNA or we are taught from childhood.
One thing I have realize is Ghanaians don’t want to hear the truth when it is even so clear. We like to use sugar coated words when what we need is to say things as it is. You tell a Ghanaian the truth and the person will get angry with you and fight you or call you a hater has you noted.
If you praise Ghanaians, they laugh with you but the moment you criticise them or tell the truth, you become an enemy. This is why most Ghanaians don’t want to go through the enemy or hater trouble so they seal their mouths and don’t say anything even if they see it. But the bad effect is that, we continue in our bad ways without any bold enough to tell us the honest truth
Dear Chris thanks so much for this article; it is wealth like these that keeps me rooting for GC. Ever being in a trotro and the driver is speeding and you dared talk? Everyone starts looking at you like you are an alien and if you are not lucky you will be branded a witch. You can’t even complain of a noisy or loud music in a car. Its so sad. But I think part has to do with a subtle culture we unknowingly practice in our home. E.g. A child cannot tell a lying adult he’s is lying because its not right to make the elderly feel bad of their bad attitude (LYING)(and I’ve seen it in many homes and even churches). Also if a parent has a quarrel or pick up a grudge with a neighbour you should support them and follow suit (even when they are wrong). and the list goes on and on. This is one of the roots of the Ghanaian lies. In my church’s youth group, those who stands up to critize a wrong, correct a mistake in a report or insist the right thing be done during meetings are termed too known, drawing the meeting back or taking the group as if its their personal property etc. and i wonder these are the future leaders of the church and workers in the country…. Guess you know how the equation would end. I can keep talking and never end but the most important question is WHAT CAN YOU AND I DO? COS I BELIEVE THERE IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE DONE NO MATTER HOW LITTLE. IN THE HOME, THE SCHOOL, MAY BE THE CHURCH….
That is true talk, it starts from the homes when kids are told to support their own even if their own is wrong. Then in the church and schools. We don’t train children to be independent minded and say the truth no matter way. We like too much convenience
Let me tell you all one other thing about Ghanaians especially those living in Ghana. They dont just hate truth, they are lazy, greedy and hypocrites. With all these things ruling, the country will never prosper. it is not a curse but the truth.
A president is corrupt and no one can say, a Minister is lying and no one can question him, an MP is a thief and no one dare say it. An actress is bleaching and no one dare tell her the truth. The journalist who can put the information in his paper is hungry, about to die from hunger so he has been bought by the above with a loaf of bread. we are doomed forever and ever
Very true an actress is sleeping with someone’s husband for money and no one wanna tell them. Not even their so called parents.
Chris thnx for dis profound article.i have always said ghanians are cowards and fake.u dare tell a ghanian da obvious truth then u become a hater. As u have said mostly it for personal gains. Sadly their kids who are born in europe have adopted same life style. That why i dont keep ghanaian friends. Somtimes when you hear some talk u wonder if they are for real.
Ghanaians are hypocrites, liars and cant handle the truth. just listen to them on the radio, instead of coming out to condemn the govt, they sugar coat their words and beat around the bush, yet they are suffering. The journalist/radio djs are the worse, politicians bribe them so much, they dont even know what truth is anymore, its sad.
Truth. I always say if the truth hurts then what does the lie do. Truth is to be known not belived so find it hard to understand why we black people and to be specific hate truth.
to be specific ghanaians I mean.
Of course we don’t like the truth because we don’t like to admit our faults and weakness or accept responsibility and accountability for our actions. It is easier to put blame on others or on things outside of ourselves. This is why every death in Ghana has a spiritual connotation to it because it leaves the deceased “blameless” of any wrongs of their own accord that may have led to their unfortunate demise. This also applies to other Africans, if not Blacks in general as a whole.