As a Ghanaian writer based in the UK, I’ve earned a ‘credible’ name as ‘that notorious writer’ and even more—all because, I always opt for reason as against the alternative nonsense in a Ghanaian setting, so intellectually immature yet this alternative reigns.
I’ve taken 3 days to monitor and read a bunch of social media comments from Ghanaians, listened to radio conversations about the Ebola vaccine trials in Ghana and to be frank; the arguments are shocking for their lack of reason and any scientific backing.
I have also attempted to explain at the back of reason why the Ebola vaccine trial in Volta Region of Ghana must be allowed to take place—to the rolling eyes of several Ghanaians, because reason is not part of our lifestyle. If you think I am being dishonest, point to me the reason in an argument like this; ‘if you think it’s alright, then come down and do it or let your family go and do it.’
First of all, let me state that Ghana (every Ghanaian) benefits from almost every vaccine out there in the world which were at some point tried in other communities/countries on human beings, therefore, we cannot absolve ourselves from clinical trials of vaccines and yet continue to benefit when others allow it.
The posture that clinical trials do not take place in the West and that the Western countries always come down to Africa to trial their vaccines or drugs is borne out of pure ignorance. Several Ebola trials are taking/have taken place in the UK, China, America, Germany, Switzerland and other Africa countries—Ghana should not be any different.
Of course, Ghanaians have every right to have concerns but such concerns should be grounded in reason, backed by scientific facts or at least sustainable reasonable arguments. We can raise ethical concerns and ensure that the researchers abide by the needed ethical standards. We can ask that the participants should be given reasonable incentives, backed by proper insurance policies as it’s done everywhere in the world.
However, the principal shouting voices are not looking at this; it demands them to reason and they don’t want to do that—so they’ve resulted to throwing into the air more ill-informed submissions to push those at the receiving end to eschew the trial. The call that the trial should not be allowed in Ghana at all is not only irrational but exposes our greed and selfishness to the international community.
Now if you ask me, I will say; the researchers are going to have a lot of hurdles to jump—I mean it’s going to be tough for them. The reason is; these researchers are smart people who drive the vehicle of reason and science, trying to have an intelligent conversation with a bunch of citizens who mostly opt for absurdity and statically, a nation with about 30% illiteracy rate and a region with even a higher illiteracy rate.
There was sharp division in thoughts beginning of this week within the GMA. As off now, majority seem to agree that the trial should go on. Of course all concur education and dissemination of information was poor to start. So it seems the trial might come on after all. Of course this is Gh, where illiteracy is just……
All this Ebola trial group have to continue to do is propagate their agenda….which started late, but nonetheless is on… James here I guess is dedicated to your blog. One amazing concern is, the propagandists are never talking about possibility of failure, their focus is mostly the gains.
Rumors have it that, some people have already been tried. True or false, I wonder their level of information.
Chris you might have a theme/aim for your block. If nation building is anywhere lines up in your aim, then kindly revise the demeaning derogatory levels. Unless is it part of your style, it gets worrying at times.
I support Chris in his choice of words and tone when it comes to this issue and other issues concerning Ghanaians and Ghana. Ghanaians have no sense. They will always behave like spoiled brats on serious issues and we need adults to yell, spank and hustle them into the real world. Ebola is a serious issue that can cripple the whole continent and add to the already disastrous economic state Africa faces. Imagine if the rest of the world decided to quarantine the whole continent because of a pandemic. While this remains a serious threat Ghanaians in their infinite wisdom have their thumb up their ass blowing snorts and spewing garbage 24 hours a day. It’s time serious people in the Ghanaian community use their bully pulpit to shout down the ignorant muthaf**kers pretending to know what the hell they are talking about and filling the heads of ignorant Ghanaians with nonsense and fear. When afia schawznegger is the medical adviser for Ghanaians you know the country is gone to the dogs. I wish the IMF had made the trials of vaccination part of its conditions. After all they are investing in the country and need to secure their investment. If the country becomes Ebola infested how would they get their loans back.
Ghanaians are infantile in their thinking and should be handle as such. I wish the skepticism Ghanaians are showing with this life saving vaccination is directed at their fake churches, prophets, bishops, apostles and seers. Who have plundered and rendered the entire country backward and retarded.
There isn’t one sensible journalist on the air in Ghana I respect. They are all gas bags full of themselves. If there were any sensible ones, they will be communicating the benefits of these trials and the fact that it is a preparation to stave off an impending storm which will be more damaging than anything Ghana has seen.
Chris keep up the good work. When it comes to ghana don’t hold back because it takes a certain level of grit to remove the formaldahyde of nonsense and superstition that has withered and shrunk the Ghanaian mind. Like my favourite comedian, George carlin, use to say calling an idiot an idiot doesn’t have the same impact as calling him a f**king idiot. Words are powerful. Using the deference and diplomatic approach when dealing with ignorant and dumb Ghanaians doesn’t work. You need to break that hard shell of stupidity they surround themselves with. And being polite doesn’t work.
When a f**king idiot and ignoramus like Afia schwarnegger thinks their ignorant opinion matters on such a serious issue you call her out. Because this is a serious issue that cannot be left to the idiots on the air.
One of our problems in Ghana is our inability to call people on their bullsh*t. This has allowed those in power to get away with murder.
Personally I prefer hurting their feelings to being diplomatic. Which is why anyone spreading lies and misinformation on the vaccination is a retarded f**king cunt. If it’s too hard for your ears tough bananas but consider what they are trying to do.
PS. Debbie if your life is on the line whom would you trust? The GMA or the world scientists? When was the last time GMA created anything close to a vaccine? They are a bunch of unproductive blowhards. No better than the flies buzzing around the turds in Ghana.
Aaaaoouuch!!!!!!!
Unproductive , unprogressive, not learning, not reasoning….can be said of every sector, engineering, Shippers’, agro, education…..every area! That is why we are perhaps where we are. If the GMA/EPA/Pharmaceuticals…in this instance, are the bridge between us and the scientists and researchers in medicine, then we have to find a subtle and a solution finding atittude of handling such issues, …..my plea.