Some Five Common Sense About Ghana

Some five “common sense” you should know about Ghana. Most people know them yet they know not that they know them. Not to be reprimanded for mistakenly insulting anyone, I should explain what I mean by ‘Common sense’. They are common knowledge about an issue that is not scientifically researched. At least that is based on my understanding of ‘Common sense’ and the operational definition for this post. It is beautiful once you get to know them. It helped me adjust somehow in Accra. Others helped me to spot investment opportunities in the economy.

Prices never decrease

Prices in Ghana never go down. I mean it. General Prices of goods never decrease once they are increased. I know you are thinking the law of marginal utility. Men! You are really smart. But hey! Most people prefer to move to the next business rather than reducing the prices to increase patronage. If not, blame the Government. Fuel prices will never decrease, the dollar will never fall against the cedi, transport fares will be subsidized. There are exceptions of cause. The telecommunications and some service providers do reduce their prices.

All Ghanaians know the ‘Problem’

After a length submission on a radio talk show, the Political guest concludes, “…this is the problem of Ghana.” You are likely to hear phrases like, “this is our problem oo”, “that is the problem we have”. The ‘problem’ of this statement of problem is that nothing is done about the problem. Have a lengthy discussion with the youth, and they would give you brilliant ideas and business solution. In the end they would most likely conclude with a ‘statement of problem’ just as I am doing here. Literacy is rather to the detriment of the nation.

Child labour would flourish as the nation’s economy flourish

Children out of respect will always do all kinds of jobs; most interesting for some is when it pays. People naturally would not like to do menial jobs even when they are expert in such fields. For instance, a mechanical engineer would still send his broken vehicle to a roadside artisan. Children too fall under this labour force. Who doesn’t like free labour? The labour laws are effective, and child protection laws are available. Who will go and enforce them? Who will sue a mother for sending her child into labour?     

An increase in fuel prices is the increase of all goods and services

There exist a high correlation between fuel price hikes and prices of goods services. Economist could come up with all kinds of theory to arrest inflation but when fuel prices are increased in Ghana, price must go up. Most amazing is that services that run on electric power also enjoy price hike. The farther away form the capital Accra, the more expensive you would find certain products.

Ghanaians are hospitable but help does not come cheap!

I happened to escort a cousin to the Accra International airport and saw these young Ghanaians offering to help travellers with their luggage. I was proud only to find out a fellow Ghanaian rejecting their help. I later found out that their help was not for free; they solicit monitory compensation. It is fair they get compensated but is should be out of the benevolence of the giver. Social dynamics has gotten us to a stage where one needs to pay for the right thing to be done. Times where you rights are privileges social entitlements seem like luxuries. Well, there is no one to blame after all “money makes the world go round”.