BE SERIOUS TO MOVE FORWARD.

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.

DEMONSTRATORS

DEMONSTRATORS WITH POLICE GUIDE

 

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.

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.