7 attitudes Ghanaians must leave behind in 2019
It’s great to be Ghanaian. In fact, not only is living in the country fun, the tolerance and hospitality of Ghanaian citizens is also very endearing.
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Having said that, though, there are certain bad attitudes that Ghanaians have become known for in recent years.
I’m talking about attitudes that often undermine the country’s growth, development and other national interests.
As we prepare to enter a new year, there are some attitudes that need to be halted before 2020 kicks off.
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Here are seven attitudes Ghanaians must leave behind in 2019:
1. Trolling
Making fun of people, commonly known as ‘trolling’ on social media, has become the order of the day in recent years.
While that is not entirely a crime, there are certain lines that should never be crossed. Trolls are meant to create humour, not to be offensive to their intended targets.
So, while it is all fun to create memes and all sorts of funny skits, it should never be about the target’s personal life or family. Also, Ghanaians often makes jokes out of even the most serious issues.
The recent alleged coup plot is an example, where many Ghanaians on social media ridiculed the weapons which were found on the alleged coup plotters. Such an attitude should definitely be left behind before the year 2020 begins.
2. Mob Injustice
Mob injustice is another issue that needs to be critically looked at. The gruesome murder of Major Maxwell Mahama Adams remains fresh in our minds.
The soldier died in May 2017 after being lynched by the people of Denkyira Obuasi, now New Denkyira, on suspicion of being an armed robber.
Many other innocent people have lost their lives or been mimed as a result of mob injustice and that should never happen again.
Thankfully, the public to beginning to accept that mob justice is not the way to go and that attitude should be the order of the day in 2020.
3. Non-payment of tax
Every working citizen is expected to pay his or her tax, but the situation is far from that when it comes to Ghana.
Due to the majority of Ghanaian workers being in the informal sector, they are not tracked and that makes it easy for them to escape tax.
However, for the country to develop, there is the need for every citizen to begin paying taxes willingly. In fact, refusing to pay your tax is a crime.
The non-payment of taxes has been one of the biggest challenges to successive government and, if we can put a stop to that, then the country should see better development in 2020.
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4. Littering
Aside from not paying tax, the filth and rubbish that fills many streets is another attitude that Ghanaians need to halt ahead of 2020.
In Accra, especially, rarely do you take 10 steps without finding filth somewhere. And the beaches are even worse.
It’s been over 24 months since President Akufo-Addo said he was going to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa, but that doesn’t look close to happening.
But if all Ghanaians could make an effort not to litter around and partake in national cleaning exercises, then we could be looking at a cleaner Ghana in 2020.
5. Paying bribe
The issue about bribery is a very controversial one. In an era where many systems are not working, many resort to paying bribes in order to get things done.
It happens everywhere: in schools, at the passport office, the licence office, at police barriers and even in courts.
However, such a practice is flawed and only serves to further disadvantage the lower class who do not have the means to pay their way out of things.
Just like non-payment of taxes, bribery is also a crime and, in this case, both the giver and the taker are equally guilty. For a canker which impedes national development, it is only right that Ghanaians drop such an attitude before 2020.
6. Noise pollution
Perhaps the most ignored national challenge in Ghana is noise pollution. While many are quick to condemn the noise from cars and parties, religious bodies are equally guilty.
Mosques and churches remain the biggest agents of noise pollution, but there are laws to check these things.
Recently, the Haatso branch of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) was fined by a court over nuisance (noise making and littering).
Everyone deserves to have peace of mind and it is only right that Ghanaians learn to respect the privacy of others without disturbing them.
7. Vigilantism
2020 is an election year and never has it been more important to put a stop to the emerging spate of militia groups.
After what happened during the Ayawaso West Wuogon by-election, it is clear for everyone to see what threat violence posses to our election process.
In March, President Akufo-Addo instructed the Attorney General to submit a legislation before Parliament to deal with the phenomenon of political vigilantism.
Thankfully, the Vigilantism and Related Offences Bill, 2019 has been passed, which forbids acts of vigilantism in the country.
By extension, such acts need to be left behind in 2019 ahead of what is an election year.
YEN.com.gh earlier reported that in 2019, some Ghanaians were able to utilize social media to their advantage with some even generating viral posts, videos and putting issues up for discussion in the trends.
They rose up to become celebrities overnight on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and several blogs, and are still trending.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
