ON STEREOTYPES IN GHANA

Growing up in my native Ghana, I would have never thought myself as subscribing to stereotypes and divisive, ethnocentric misconceptions. I grew up priding myself as one of the hospitable, accommodating and friendly people Ghanaians generally are. However, after being enlightened on the topics of racism, ethnocentrism and stereotypes, I have had a rude awakening.

      My dear Ghanaians, I am afraid we are not as open-minded and friendly and hospitable as we think. Outwardly, Ghanaians are generally friendly to all, but what about our perceptions of people whose race, nationality and ethnicity differ from ours? We may smile, joke and play with all people but do we really think of them as our equals? My analysis of my own life and that of others tells me the answer is anything but a definite yes.
     
        Oftentimes, Ghanaians think, act and speak along ethnic lines without even realizing that they are subscribing to certain stereotypes. The Ghanaian society reinforces and transmits stereotypes from one generation to another (sometimes unconsciously), perpetuating erroneous, divisive and derogatory misconceptions and negative perceptions of others. This system of negative cultural transmission is so disguised, widespread and yet so strong that it goes on virtually unchecked and children grow up subscribing to it without being able to tell stereotypes from facts. I remember when I was growing up in my small town of Abesim ( a small town near Sunyani in Ghana’s Brong Ahafo Region) ) we the children thought all whites spoke English and all whites understood us when we spoke gibberish like “Arish rish kontomire” which, to be honest, I still have no idea what it means. We would follow non-blacks singing “broni kokor maakye, yaa fichiri gongon” (Good morning whiteman/woman…). Come to think of it, we were being ignorant racists.  By our teenage years, family and friends had indoctrinated us to expect certain behaviors and actions from certain ethnic groups and nationalities. We were warned not to marry or befriend members of certain ethnic groups and nationalities. For every single stereotype one might make in Ghana, people will readily mention ethnic groups and nationalities that “bear” those stereotypes. To a large extent, stereotypes have become a vital means by which Ghanaians perceive and address problems. Generally, the names of people betray their nationality and/or ethnicity which in turn open the doors for to the various stereotypes associated with particular ethnic groups. What this means is that people almost immediately subject themselves to their prejudices and begin to judge people and expect certain behaviors from them. Ghanaians have a catalogue of “what to expect from…” lists based on which they relate with others, including their fellow Ghanaians so even before the first meeting or interaction, these sets of “what to expect” are prepped and ready to be employed and our perceptions of others are shaped and furnished even before we have met them.

If one should ask Ghanaians to categorize jobs and occupations according to ethnicity, he or she would be shocked at how menial, blue collar jobs like head porters (kayayo/kayayee), security, farm laborer etc. are commonly attributed to people from Northern Ghana while white collar jobs are commonly attributed to Southerners. The reality is far from so, but the common perceptions and ethnocentric mentalities support these biased opinions and to a near-justifiable point. This is because the stereotypes are so widespread and entrenched that they are almost truisms and people subscribe and transmit them, sometimes unconsciously, without even questioning their veracity. Similarly, Ghanaians attribute certain lifestyles and attitudes to certain ethnicities and nationalities. One ethnic group in Ghana is wrongfully portrayed as a juju/voodoo tribe, another is portrayed as being lazy, another as being largely uneducated, and yet another as a group of uneducated, pompous, cheats. When it comes to nationalities, a particular country is overwhelmingly (albeit wrongfully) infamous for fraud and armed robbery while the francophone nations are stereotyped for prostitution.

I used to subscribe to these stereotypes until the recent past, but now I know better; I have come to understand that stereotypes are mental prisons that jail our minds and blind us to the advantages of having a multi-faceted and diverse society. Ghana is a land of peace and love, we pride ourselves as being hospitable and I do not disagree to that. However, our hospitality and acceptance of others is a mere façade if we do not let that openness and welcoming attitude extend to our way of thinking and our perceptions of ourselves and others. How genuine can our love for others be if we think ourselves more important and superior to them? It will mean our approach to them will be a mere cosmetic arraignment; a window dressing designed to fool those outside while we are engulfed by the flames of ethnocentrism and racism that burn within. Ghana was built on the foundations of freedom and justice, peace and love, please let’s make it a home for all.