Still... Proudly Ghanaian

Ghanaian culture thrives mainly on what is not said. Actually, it isn’t that some things are not said, but that they are said in not so plain language. What we think and believe as a people, is often shrouded in proverbs, symbols, songs, drum beats, dancing and even how we choose to wear our clothes.  

There’s a Ghanaian proverb that says “it is the stranger that gets offered a blind chicken”. In other words, never fall for the sheepish, unending grin and amazing humility Ghanaians throw at strangers. We are smarter than we look. We are stronger than we pretend to be.

Our thriving democracy is not an accident. This country is built on belief systems that go far deeper than most people can imagine. There is more that unite than divide us. Ghana has proven beyond all reasonable doubt,  that it is not just another unstable African country, in an unstable region, in an unstable continent in an unstable world.  We knew governance when the Greeks were still barbarians. We believed in God, and even called Him “great friend” before the missionaries arrived.  Our souls are rooted in history deeper than colonialism. 

We are a people, blessed and powerful… and I pray we never forget this. The danger is when we forget. Once a people forget who they really are, they easily accept any identity someone else slaps on them. 

Am I saying Ghana is special? Let me be “unGhanaian” for a moment and shout “YES. Ghana is special”.

Congratulations, Mr. President on this special day of your inauguration. 

Congratulations, People of Ghana.