Conflicting sides of the African story
A cycle of prosperity and disparity in Ghana
It’s hard to believe that my time in Ghana is already halfway over. Today is Day 19, though it feels more like Day 190. My understanding of Ghana and Africa has grown immensely through enriching interactions with locals and expats. I have heard diverging opinions about Ghana’s government, power crisis, corruption, infrastructure issues, education system, and citizen mindset. I have faced Ghanaian challenges (never appreciated toilet paper and water so much), joined their festivities (funerals are synonymous with parties), and seen the Western world from their perspectives (the grass is always greener in North America and Europe). I have tasted their (spicy and oily) foods, weaved through their (bumpy and crowded) roads, and bartered (or attempted to communicate) with their merchants. Overall, my physical, emotional, and intellectual limits have been stretched far beyond my comfort levels in Canada.
Before coming to Ghana, I was aware of the danger of believing a single story about Africa. Ironically, I am now overwhelmed by too many contrasting tales — and I am still struggling to make sense of it all.
In 19 days, I have experienced a full range of Ghanaian lifestyles. I have gone hungry after running out of cash, but also feasted on scrumptious buffets in the company of the wealthiest Ghanaians. I have been scammed by local merchants, but also protected by strangers. I have been hassled like a walking ATM, but also admired like a celebrity. I have taught business cases, but also learned life lessons. Reflecting on my journey so far, I have noticed three conflicting sides of the African story:
Selfless vs. Selfish
In general, I found Ghanaians to be more selfless than Canadians. I made this observation when our driver, Kofi, sacrificed time with his family to drive us on weekends and nights. When I asked him why he worked such long hours every day, he smiled and said that he was used to it. I was also touched by the kindness of strangers in Kumasi, where we lost Amy in the extremely crowded market. A few minutes later, we witnessed a protective Ghanaian woman shielding her from the rowdy crowd as she helped Amy find our group. In Tamale, our friend Miles reassured us that if anyone tried to rob us there, a thousand heroes would come to our rescue — whereas in Canada, most bystanders would stay away from the potential danger.
After experiencing the selflessness of many Ghanaians, I could not understand why their country was plagued with so much more corruption and poverty than individualist Canada. That was when I began to see the disparity between the common folk and the powerful elite. I was exposed to the sad truth — that many leaders lose their communal mindset as they gain power, especially when circumstances get tough. Since stability and wealth are hard to acquire, many powerful people end up using their skills and resources for selfish purposes, rather than the communal good.
For example, public angst against the government has been escalating as Ghana enters its third year of power shortages — or dumsors. Religious leaders, celebrities, and corporations have led movements pressuring the government to restore power to areas such as healthcare, where thousands depend on life support daily. However, the government has remained complacent, and consequently, Ghana’s economy is suffering as businesses are discontinued, basic needs are unmet, and lives are lost. Meanwhile, the elite 1% are enjoying their comfortable lives at the expense of the remaining 99%. This truth became real to me after speaking to Josephine’s grandmother over lunch in Kumasi, when she told us that the government would not dare to shut down power in her neighbourhood because the wealthiest businesses and families resided there.
Although corruption and power disparities also exist in Canada, I am shocked that the Ghanaian government would restrict necessities to the rich and powerful. Without enough power, how can Ghana stimulate its economy to recoup its national debt, and eventually prosper? The solution seems simple — elect a better government — but it is nearly impossible to find someone who can combat corruption, solve decades of problems, and head the nation.
Education vs. Emigration
In general, Ghanaians also place a higher value on education than Canadians do. Most Ghanaians are pursuing their next degree or certification in hopes of advancing their career for a better life. However, the fortunate few who receive prestigious degrees or exchange opportunities often leave Ghana after school. Ghana faces a major issue: education often leads to emigration.
This “brain drain” has unfortunate effects on Ghana’s economy as it loses its home-grown top talent to foreign countries. Unemployment rates are higher than ever, yet businesses are struggling to find qualified employees. I learned about the talent disparity from Carol Brown, the country manager of Burro, the subject of our business case. Carol had found qualified candidates from Ashesi University for Burro’s full-time positions, only to lose the best candidates to investment banking offers in the UK. Currently, Carol is still struggling to find the right people who are ready to commit to Burro’s social mission, instead of pursuing their masters degrees or lucrative careers abroad. Until she can build the right team, she cannot expand her business to provide sustainable tools for a better life to other regions in Ghana, and eventually Africa. Finding and retaining talent have become the bottlenecks of many successful businesses.
With a large segment of its educated young people leaving the country, it’s no wonder that development and progress are stunted in Ghana. Rather, the top Ghanaians with potential to create positive change end up contributing to the global powerhouses of North America and Europe. If this cycle continues, how can Ghana and Africa catch up to the rest of the world? Or will they continue to be exploited for their resources until the whole land runs dry? Until educated Ghanaians bring their talents back home, Ghana cannot grow and thrive.
Passion vs. Passive
My last observation is related to the students. After speaking with Francis and Eric, professors at ANUC, and Ngozi, a past Field-Marsham scholarship recipient, I learned that many Ghanaian students suffer from laziness. Of course, this trait is not exclusive to Ghana, as there are plenty of lazy students all over the world. However, Francis, Eric, and Ngozi expressed their frustrations with the passive attitude of many African students who have no desire to work hard, but would rather wait around for opportunities to appear. They complained that many students assumed that moving to North America or Europe would result in abundance, comfort, and a better life. By failing to realize that hard work is required everywhere, students lack the drive and passion to turn their dreams into reality. As such, they become complacent and content with doing enough to just get by — in school and in life.
I have noticed the stark contrast between the passionate and passive students in my class. A select group of students are keen to learn, always prepared, punctual, and eager to participate. They value the role of education in shaping their futures and improving their communities. Many have ventured into entrepreneurship, or are interested in taking the risk.
On the other hand, the majority of the class strolls in casually after 9:30AM (our course begins at 9AM) without reading the case beforehand, and contributes little or not at all. They are not receptive to conversations, and always leave right when class ends. The contrasting attitudes of my students have left me confused about the state of education in Ghana. I feel as if the passionate students are seeking a lot more out of their schooling experience, but the majority of passive students are limiting their progress. Since the instructors must follow the average pace of students, the passiveness of the class causes the keen learners to miss out on various learning opportunities.
Compared to the competitive, driven students typically found at Ivey, the atmosphere of the case course is drastically different in Koforidua. Admittedly, I have grown frustrated by the lack of enthusiasm and preparation of many students. Now, I can understand how professors feel when students are unprepared and unmotivated in class. Passive attitudes are difficult to transform within such a short time, but I hope that I will be able to inspire my students to consider living out their passions in the future.
Changing the mindset of students during this pivotal point in their development is crucial for Ghana’s future. The mistakes of current leaders will leave a huge mess for future leaders to fix, but with enough strength, drive, and passion, I truly believe that the next generation of Ghanaian students can bring their country to new heights.
