I have always considered Ghana as Nigeria’s noisy neighbour. I feel this most when we get to spar with each other in football games or some athletic event. Then, you will feel the heat of their heckling and noise, almost at a crescendo level similarly the social media space then lights up, trolling with banters of their so-called prowess.
I had grown to find them as that irritant neighbour, especially in those few occasions that they have managed to scalp our skin at some football games. The results were painful and trust them to flaunt it to your face, tales of their so-called superiority. This was my state of mind until I had the opportunity of visiting Accra. I was looking to find them obtuse and I was ready to drown them out with stories of our ‘Nigerianness,’ but instead of finding that irritant neighbour, it was a nice, gentlemanly neighbour that met me during my trip.
From the airport, which was world-class to the hotel staff, the people were loving, caring, cheerful and generally passionate about their country. Even though it is a country made up of diverse tribes and different cultures, yet they found reason to believe in a one Ghana and their oneness. The uber driver, hotel waiters, the professionals clutching their iPhones at the meeting venue and the ordinary Ghanaian that you find on the street, there is one thing in common with all of them – belief in their country and a passionate disposition on the future of Ghana.
It is not all rosy for them. A litre of fuel sells for $1 (N365), a bottle of coke on the street sells for 50 cents (N183). These things are expensive by Nigeria standards, yet the spirit of the people is not broken. They have a resolute belief that Ghana is headed in the right direction and certainly ‘e go better’ next year.
Of course, we still our the jollof wars and our little squabbles, but I can certainly say that it is true, travelling is really the window to the world. When we leave our safe spaces and experience life especially in our neighbouring African countries, we build empathy, more neighbourliness and foster a stronger sense of possible collaborations.
So, as you plan and budget for your vacations in 2020, don’t forget to add Accra or any other exotic African destination.
