Being creative is synonymous to being ‘artistic, original, ingenious and imaginative’. This piece is not by any stretch suggesting that, the entire Ghanaian population do not have creative prowess.
If that was the case, there would have been no need to write this. I am sure by the time you finish reading this, you would perfectly understand that, some bit of creativity must and do exist in Ghana for this article to make sense.
Am I the only who have found enough reasons to question the innovative nature of our Ghanaian minds? Probably at this stage, the answer would be YES.
It seems a greater part of our existence as Ghanaians, stretching from our Business models to Entertainment concepts depend on the creativity of only a few.
I perfectly understand and appreciate ‘trending’ and economic benefits associated with several businesses engaging in common enterprises. However, what I have over the years recognised among Ghanaians go beyond any economic or ‘trending’ argument. It seems we are too lazy to think differently and venture into daring enterprises.
If you have ever questioned yourself as to why most Ghanaians seem to enter into a particular business when things are a little good in there, and then the moment someone comes up with another (that looks great), we all run in there until we all become sellers without consumers, then you have in some way spotted our non creative nature.
Do you remember the Communication Centre boom in Ghana? When almost every street in Ghana was choked with these outlets? Few ingenious people started this, and then every household had one, until literally we all became ‘Comm Centre’ operators without customers.
The ‘Comm Centre’ era did not last for long. After few people made bold steps into the world of Internet Cafes, the floodgate opened. Without any strict regulations and failing to learn anything from the Communication Centre era, we all built Internet Cafes behind our houses and offices. Those who had the vision were crashed down. Soon, the business was worth nothing.
Then when mobile telecommunication was gaining strength in Ghana, certain imaginative individuals ventured into what we called the ‘Space To Space’ enterprise. As usual, within few months, every major road in Ghana was decorated with umbrellas with children sitting under them, engaging in ‘Space To Space’.