Ghanaians of the Diaspora…Look in the Mirror | You Hypocrites!

Dear Chris-Vincent,

Warning: What you are about to read may very well offend you in some places but, I ask that you read this entire piece before passing judgement.

I have been reading, with much disgust, the never-ending tirade of abuse and condemnation thrown at Ghanaians who live in Ghana. Who dares to speak of Ghanaians in such a way but none other than Ghanaians of the Diaspora. Ghanaians who live in Europe, the Americas, Australia, in fact anywhere but Ghana.

These so called Ghanaians rain insult upon insult saying that their brothers and sisters who live in Ghana are nothing but stupid, lazy and, shockingly, sub-human. How is it that the same Ghanaians who were lazy, stupid and sub-human all of a sudden become industrious, intelligent and superior once they leave the shores of their motherland? It’s amazing what crossing the sea will do for one’s abilities.

But, before I digress, let me get into the meat and potatoes of my erstwhile opinion. I say opinion because it is nothing more than that. Just opinion, maybe a little bit of observation and maybe, just maybe, a little bit of fact. Nevertheless what I am about to say is a sweeping condemnation of my brothers who have taken the easy way out and live off the fat of another’s land.

“Ghanaians of the diaspora are self-seeking. They only want what is good for them as individuals. When there is an opportunity for growth they will never work with another Ghanaian but only seek progress with a non-Ghanaian.”

“Ghanaians of the diaspora are self serving. They only care for themselves and will do anything to make themselves appear better than the next Ghanaian. They will do anything to look good to their host nation. They will ignore the very foundation on which there abilities, intellect and education were built. They will forget where they came from and do only what is necessary to get ahead.”

“Ghanaians of the diaspora are cowardly. At first light they ran away. They left their own country to seek greener pastures, leaving only the wretched and sick to fend for themselves. They did not, do not, have the courage, strength and temerity to succeed in Ghana. They are substandard and cowards.”

Now, I hope I have your attention. For everything that I have said previously is borderline ridiculous and is akin to saying, “Ghanaians back home are stupid, lazy and ignorant”. Furthermore there is no “they” or “them”.

The Big 6 must be turning in their graves. What was the point of fighting for independence when we are dividing ourselves in such a sorrowful way. Did we not have these divisions during the colonial period when some in the Gold Coast felt that they were more cultured, more intelligent, more industrious and a better class of human being? Did we not learn from that period?

For those who say Ghanaians are stupid and lazy, please look in the mirror. Ask yourself, who do you work for? Have you taken every opportunity available to you and made the most of what you have? Are you just happy taking your salary, working a 9-5?

Are you that Ghanaian who works harder than any other in the office only never to be recognized whilst someone else takes the credit? Are you that Ghanaian who holds a PHd and drives a taxi? Are you that Ghanaian who says nothing whilst his boss continually demeans people of African descent or, even worse, do you laugh along and contribute to that self-loathing?

Are you that Ghanaian who does not speak up when you know someone in the office has done something wrong? Just because we live in the diaspora does not make us any less guilty of the very things we say of our brothers, sisters, uncles, aunts, mothers, fathers and cousins who live in Ghana. Remember, out of all those stupid and lazy Ghanaians, at least one of them is a relative.

It is unfortunate that some Ghanaians in the diaspora have taken the position of condemning Ghanaians who live at home. No matter where we are, Ghanaians have three things in common:

1. We can make the most of anything

2. We like to be our own boss

3. We know our value all too well

What many might perceive as laziness I see otherwise. Ghanaians know their value and to work for 5 cedis a day just does not equate to the value of the abilities of many, many Ghanaians. People complain of the education system falling apart. If teachers are not paid for years, what do you expect of them? To be shining stars, working for the good of the Motherland?

Some say that every Ghanaian wants to live like a King or a Queen. Again, I see otherwise. Ghanaians, today, want to be their own boss, make their own decisions and be their own star. To me that is sign of a nation on the verge of bearing fruit to a great number of successful entrepreneurs.

Many complain that the country is being lead by ill-equipped, uneducated and mindless individuals. Anyone, and I absolutely mean anyone, who lives in the diaspora and has the audacity to complain should smack themselves three times (don’t ask me why I say three but it makes sense for now).

Ghana has had probably the most destructive brain drain that any country has experienced in recent memory. Someone could say that We (I am an expat) all ran away to countries where it would be EASIER for us to achieve our dreams and left the running of the country to wolves. If there is to be any blame at all, we, of the diaspora, should shoulder a fair bit of it.

And why are we turning on our own? Do Ghanaians in the diaspora really and truly believe that those at home will see value in our expertise and insight if we continue to communicate or even allow others to communicate in such reprehensible ways? Participating in such discourse is not productive. It’s really nothing more than whining.

I understanding the sentiment held by many who left Ghana to gain knowledge and experience so that they could come home and contribute to the success of a great nation. I understand the frustrations of working so hard to better oneself only to realize that those back home have left our nation in shambles. It’s like leaving your house in the care if relatives just to find out that it is completely destroyed and being used to sell toilet brushes and other trivial imported goods. You now have no home to go to and nothing to share proudly with your children.

Whilst I expect Ghanaians of the diaspora to be more mature and sensible in the way we communicate our disappointments, frustrations and embarrassments, I ask that Ghanaians back home show patience and understanding.

We don’t mean to come across as bossy, “too known”, elitist nor insensitive. We are also hurt and it is not easy living far from family, far from friends and far from what is dearest to our hearts. We mean well and only want the best for our nation. It is time we show respect for each other and work together to move our nation forward.

Ghana has a dearth of talent, home and away. Let’s make the best use of our abilities as one people.

Received from: niikpakpo@gmail.com

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