Many people have expressed worry over the way Ghanaians make
a joke out of serious developments. For over two years now, the working group
or those in the job sector have been complaining about what they describe as
high cost of living in the country. This led to a massive demonstration staged
by Organised Labour against the government of the day on July, 2014. These are
excerpts of how the capital Accra was painted red during the day of the
demonstration.
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| DEMONSTRATORS |
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| DEMONSTRATORS WITH POLICE GUIDE |
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| DEMONSTRATORS DISPLAYING PLACARDS |
The following day every social media, print, electronic and
international media was full of images, videos and sound bites of how the
demonstration was organized in Accra and parts of the country. Prominent
Ghanaians were however worried about the economic hardship facing the people.
The government in its quest to better the lives of Ghanaians was seen as doing
nothing, despite the fact that it had put measures in place to stop the
depreciation of the Ghana Cedi which is country’s currency against the dollar.
It is sad to note that while stringent measures are being implemented, some
have taken to social media platforms to make fun of the government of the day.
In the opinion of many people the government is doing nothing. This is how the
picture was painted on asocial media platform like whatsapp.
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| THE GHANA CEDIS CHASING THE US DOLLAR |
Some economist also made projections suggesting that, before
the end of year 2014, the US dollar will be equivalent to four Ghana cedis
($1=₵4) as compared to the current ($1= ₵3). The social media platforms have
given so much power to Ghanaians and using it wisely can help in the
development of the Country. Issues cannot be solved if we give negative
comments as well as making fun out of them. To add to the recent events of
jokes share on social media is the widespread allegations that the deadly Ebola
virus which has claimed the lives of over 1,900 people in West Africa is in
Ghana. Health authorities quickly had to step up to debunk these rumors.
Recently the National Service Secretariat also had to refute reports on social
media platforms that service personnel have been posted to Ebola Control
Centers. A similar joke was shared last year when postings were released and
some altered images were immediately posted on social platforms indicating that
a student had been posted to a Chop Bar (Local Restaurant). This is obviously a
joke perpetrated by some Ghanaians who think that it is good to make a joke out
of serious developments. The earlier we begin to tackle issues affecting this
country head-on the better. Government needs our support and ideas to move this
nation forward. It is good to have a great sense of humor but when it comes at
the detriment of our development than we must put a stop to it. A word to the
wise is enough.
