A Tale of Two Attitudes: Ghana vs Nigeria
Nigerians are Africa’s most stigmatized. Yet they wear their pride and excellence like a badge of honour, from the bustling city of Lagos to the dynamic heart of Panama City. We have the Black Star, Ghana, on the other spectrum. Suppose you ask the Silent Generation or Baby Boomers, and they’ll tell you that Ghana is the North Star guiding sub-Saharan Africa’s journey to hope.
She led the charge against European imperialism. To the Tic Tock Gen Zs, she is the Mecca for the diasporas, from its spiritual reconnection with their ancestors to Detty December when Ghana is extra elaborate.
Meanwhile, Ghanaians seem stuck in a perpetual “dis country no go bi da” attitude. And Nigerians have turned “Naija no dey carry last” into a national anthem, despite the fact their country is on life support.
Bird Box Syndrome
I have a name for it – the ‘Bird Box Syndrome’. Here’s what I mean by that: In the Netflix movie ‘Bird Box’, people must blindfold themselves to survive in a world invaded by entities that cause anyone who sees them to take their own life. The characters live in fear, permanently blinded, never truly seeing the world as it is.
In the context of our discussion, the ‘Bird Box Syndrome’ refers to a phenomenon where Ghanaians, much like the characters in the movie, are metaphorically blindfolding themselves with negative narratives about their country. Instead of seeing Ghana’s potential and positive aspects, they’re focused on the negative, effectively blinding themselves to the possibilities of progress and change.
Underneath these metaphorical blindfolds, pessimism spreads at the speed of California bushfires, and national pride quickly becomes endangered.
A Sob story: Heroes or Zeroes?
Amid the chaos is Ama, a teacher who has devoted the last twenty years to educating Ghana’s youth. She was as optimistic as a painter with a fresh canvas in her teens. Today looking in the mirror, she is questioning her commitment to a country that has turned its back on her. Ama frequently vents her frustrations online, painting a picture of a country she’s ready to abandon.
Reflect on the plight of Razak, a farmer whose yield suffers due to limited access to modern farming techniques, equipment, and funding. This is the daily struggle of many farmers who are the backbone of the nation’s food security.
We can’t forget Naa Dromo, a businesswoman bitten by the “Return to Ghana” bug. She invested 110k USD into the poultry business. She was dangled through various schemers, from robbery drivers to vanishing carpenters and swindling car mechanics. In less than 15 months, she was left with a shed that looked like a sketch of a poultry farm, 8k USD, a Delta Airlines ticket, and a secure bed at a psychiatric facility in Tampa, Florida. Today her words echo in the minds of the young, pushing them further towards the abyss of the ‘Bird Box Syndrome’.
A harsh reality
Now, don’t get me wrong. With all these challenges, who wouldn’t trade their optimism for a nice, comforting blanket of cynicism? 5,000 schools still operate under trees and in dilapidated structures across the country. Ten-year-old children are left to pursue education under the covers of leafy pawpaw trees. At the same time, pregnant women find themselves in the throes of labour on stark hospital floors. What has become of the land that once stood tall as a beacon of progress in the sub-region?
Tiger’s Roar
As we grapple with these distressing realities, let’s turn our attention to the Tiger’s Roar:
Are you saying critics are not patriots? No, you can’t say that! What I’m saying is it’s about time citizens took off those trendy negativity blindfolds and started cheering for the real star of the show – the Black Star.
- Faith in Your Potential: As a seed needs trust in the soil to sprout, Ghanaians must believe in their collective potential. It’s time you start nurturing your land with positivity. You wouldn’t dare plant seeds of negativity in your family, would you? So how dare you repeat “kuro wei eny3 yie da”? Shame on you; shame on you again.
- Pride in Your Progress: Just as one takes pride in a well-built home, one should take pride in your country’s progress. Resist the status quo. Say something, do something or take a hike.
- Love for Your Motherland: When one loves their home, they strive to improve it. Stop being a keyboard warrior.
Sankofa, A Rallying Cry!
So, dear Ghanaians, do not stand by as your Faith in the Motherland wanes. Yes, the foolishness is rife, but you can reclaim your patriotism and start by making positive confessions about Ghana.
Is it a shithole? Sometimes…. Well, a lot of the time, but the hole can be filled. Even a deep quarry can be filled and transformed into a beautiful lake. You can contribute your quota to build a better Ghana wherever you are.
The Black Star signifies EXCELLENCE
No more excuses, Ghana! Break free from the shackles of the ‘Bird Box Syndrome. Stop complaining, stop whining and get on with it. Play the hand you have been dealt and ignite a revolutionary spirit. Cast aside the blindfolds of negativity and instead focus your energy on adding value to the cherished Black Star. Your history is a testament to your unwavering resilience, and your vibrant culture is an everlasting source of inspiration. Today, embark on a resolute journey to make the Black Star synonymous with nothing less than excellence.
A Call to Action
Stand up Against Exploitation: Ghana belongs to Ghanaians and the continent. Reflect on this, and let it inspire your actions. Let’s fill the hole together.
TRANSLATIONS: TWI/PIDGIN
“kuro wei eny3 yie da” – this country is destroyed beyond salvaging.
“dis country no go bi da” – this country will never work.
“Naija no dey carry last” implies that no matter the circumstance, Nigerians strive to succeed, excel, and make the best out of every situation, irrespective of location. It embodies the “can-do” attitude and resilience characteristic of many Nigerians.
What do you think?
- Have you ever experienced the “Bird Box Syndrome” in your own life or witnessed it in others? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below!
- What actions do you think Ghanaians can take to break free from the negative narratives and embrace a more positive outlook on their country? We’d love to hear your ideas!
- Do you agree with the comparison between Ghana and Nigeria’s attitudes? How do you think these attitudes shape their respective societies? Share your insights in the comments!
11 Comments
A perfect picture to the narratives of our societies / countries & continent at large.
Very educative & fun reading through while the suspense ain’t dashing off.
Thank you, I’m thrilled you found it educational yet suspenseful!
Knowing I achieved an engaging balance of information and entertainment means so much. Your feedback that the narratives resonated personally and continentally is fantastic – making these issues accessible through the story is my goal.
I appreciate you taking the time to comment thoughtfully on the content and style. It motivates me to keep developing multi-layered stories that hopefully inspire fresh perspectives. Please keep the insightful feedback coming!
I absolutely agree and stress that it even makes us tough and content as Africans in appreciating who we really are and where we come from as well us makes us acculturated regardless where we find ourselves and that is rootly beautiful !
Thank you for the agreement and for expanding on such an important point. You’re right that reflecting on our roots, culture, and history as Africans can develop strength, resilience and an appreciation for who we are. Acculturating to new environments is made more accessible when we have a grounded sense of identity and self-awareness.
Your emphasis on appreciating where we come from is spot on – our rich cultural heritage is something to be proud of, not dismissed. As you noted, Leveraging those strengths will make us more adaptive and successful. Remaining rooted while spreading our branches outward is a beautiful sentiment.
I’m thrilled this discussion is resonating and sparking such uplifting perspectives. Comments like yours reinforce that there is hope for transcending pessimism through celebrating our collective roots and a refresh of mindsets. I appreciate you taking the time to share these poignant thoughts!
You got my whole attention and I started to critically appreciate what Ghana has, and how I could be an agent for success story. Well done and can’t wait to read the next article.
Mawuli, thats precisely what we are saying.
Thank you, I appreciate the thoughtful feedback! I’m so glad the article got you looking at Ghana’s potential with fresh, optimistic eyes. That’s precisely what we hoped to inspire. Comments like yours make the effort all worthwhile, knowing I’m making even a tiny impact in mindset shifts. Please stay tuned for more coming soon, hopefully sparking constructive conversations on Ghana’s future. Your suggestions for topics are also welcome! Thanks again for reading and the uplifting words.
I think we can begin by questioning the roots of our discontent with the goal of eliminating them.
For example, instead of the discontent about our inability to afford three square meals, we can question why we think we need three square meals in the first place. We can question whether our forefathers held those views, and from where they came up with them. From such reflections, we can then form new views that fit our reality, and eliminate the discontent.
It would interest you to know, for instance, that many people in more affluent countries choose to skip meals for the purpose of weight management. So it makes sense to think that one’s inability to afford three square could in fact be a blessing.
You raise an excellent point about questioning the roots of discontent as a starting point. Your example about reframing perspectives around three square meals is insightful. I agree that if we take a step back to examine where certain expectations or measures of “success” come from, we can often dismantle the resulting discontent by realizing its narrow assumptions.
Reframing our situation relative to those in other countries is also wise – flaws can become advantages when viewed through a different cultural lens. Your observation that skipping meals benefits weight management in some societies is an excellent illustration of that relativity.
You suggest this type of analytical, reflective questioning can help eliminate discontent by revealing new, empowering narratives. The goal is not to justify hardships but to circumvent discontent by realizing how much perspective shapes our lived experiences.
I appreciate you adding these thoughtful dimensions to the discussion – it will give readers fertile ground for further reflection. Please feel free to keep the insightful commentary coming!
This is super insightful and sadly reflective of the current state of affairs. We have truly lost our sense of pride and all things Ghanaian. We seriously need to borrow a leaf from the Nigerians in terms of national pride. One of my former bosses (an expat) made a statement to me which I have never forgotten… He asked why Ghanaians run away from problems/bad news and rather exhibit ostrich syndrome, in this case, bird-box syndrome.. We’d rather not pick up a call and make an implausible excuse afterwards. We’d rather say the negative and/or hide instead of facing our issues…. i lay the blame on aspects of our culture… we are not taught to truly be bold.. e.g. children are seen and not heard, forgetting that such experiences with adults shape their future viewpoints… we have the systems breaking down around us and noone (myself included) saying anything or holding anyone accountable…. Tiger – I 100% agree with you… we need to break out of bird box syndrome… first steps boldness and accountability….
Thank you for your discerning comments. The aspect where we run away from our problems is not a good one. The Nigerian issue on the ground is 100 worst than ours but we are usually the first to give up. Would you say that Nigerians are best at teaching their themselves the culture and also to be bold and strong?
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