For reading the heading and this first line, I know you love to read. So just imagine you visit a bookshop and there you have it as a gift—a book titled “The Mind’s Paradigms”.What do you think would come to mind? In all probability,I am sure you may want to take a closer look at it; read a line or two about the author and book from the back cover; flip through the table of content, etcetera, etcetera! But you know what? The Mind’s Paradigms as interesting as it sounds is neither a title of a book nor even a chapter of any book (that I have sighted yet). Rather, it is the motto for University of Ghana’s Department of Psychology. Yeah!
But then, let me say this quickly. I am not sure I have the know-how to write on the technicalities of psychology; I find it is such a complex discipline of study. Rather, I would like to engage you in a conversation about another subject. A subject that, I believe is best reflected by the motto of the Psychology Department. And, that is about the need for us to have the right mental paradigm to redeem our nation. Friends, it’s obvious Ghana needs redemption from how she is gradually, and with speed, losing her vital values. Values? Yes! I mean the very virtues and actions that gave the average Ghanaian the confidence to ‘boast’ in any part of the world that “I am a Ghanaian”.
Why?
I write here, and I do so with understandable sadness, when I consider how only few decades gone by, as Ghanaians we used to talk about, and discuss matters of national interest everywhere with relish —at schools, in churches, and by even those who had leisure times under the trees. I was born, bred and had my primary education in Sefwi-Wiawso, a farming community in Ghana’s Western Region, as a boy. And I remember how we sang patriotic songs and recited poems in school as part of the orientation to make love for our country and countrymen an integral part of our everyday thinking. I am sure it was so for many children, at least for those in my generation in almost every part of the country. Today, I dare ask: where is that spiritof nationalism? How come patriotism seems to be a matter of little or no interest to the average Ghanaian? It is no more newsworthy! Why?
‘Di wo fie asɛm’. Do you remember that? And do you understand it? Well, I assume without concluding, that you remember but do not understand, as I intend to mean here. Or, perhaps your Twi reading proficiency is that of a beginner. Either way, I am more than willing to help you out. Because, that simple and one-time-popular phrase is what I intend for us to interrogate in a little while. In the end, I should have explained myself. And of course, I trust you would have made out your own conclusions too.
It was in the reaction of a prominent statesman of Ghana to a political tension mounting in a neighbouring country, when that simple but profound four-worded phrase —di wo fie asɛm—was uttered. Almost immediately, as it is the norm with political and social commentators in contemporary Ghana, it became a political and media jargon. Years down the lane, it goes without saying: Di wo fie asɛm is a household slogan. To the typical English person ‘di wo fie asɛm ‘is to wit “mind your own business”.
Are You Sure?
Be that as it may, I observe with much surprise and keen interest how that simple statement resonates with many who seem to have completely taken the intended meaning of what our late President said out of context. (And to be fair to all, that is not to hold brief for anyone). For instance, consider the way some individuals have deliberately resorted to ‘di wo fie asɛm’ as a claim to make legitimate excuse for irresponsible conduct. When a little boy, of say twelve misbehaves in public, no adult has the ‘right’ to call him to order. Because if you dare try it, his answer will be or would imply ‘di wo fie asɛm’!
Most probably, the little said about sanitation concerns, the better. The woman in ‘trotro’ who threw on the street the waste she had created by buying food items wrapped in plastic or polythene bags, thinks no one has the ‘right to question her. That one too, if you try to point to her the effect that backward-uncivilised action of hers would have on all of us as nation, she would not spare you; not at all. In fact, she would keep it simple by asking at least one of these: What is your problem? How does that concern you? And then she would add: Masa, ‘di wo fie asɛm’! But the question is: Is that really true? Are we getting to the point where nobody has, at least the civic right to demand that another citizen act rightfully and lawfully? Not even for the sake of your own safety? All in the name of ‘di wo fie asɛm’? Are you sure?
The emotions I feel right now as I write may be exactly how my good friend, Mr Joe Lartey felt when he worriedly demanded an answer from me by asking:“Is that how we are ruining this country?” This he expressed in total dismay upon hearing of one such bizarre attitude or behaviour by some of his countrymen—especially those conducted in public with no remorse whatsoever.
The Huddle
Permit me to mention this at this point. The central idea and motivation for writing this piece was ignited by that wonderful presentation by Dr Richard Selormey at an event held recently by the Human Development (HuD) Group. Dr Selormey thoughtfully captioned his presentation:“None of my business: How does it concern me?”I believe Richard, himself a rising Ghanaian medical professional could not have achieved what he has wanted to do so far in his short life, if his ‘mind’s paradigms’ were not different from that of the other Ghanaians he so passionately appealed to, beyond those present. Little wonder, he is a Mandela-Washington Fellow. I have no doubt —judging from his voracious appetite-for-social development, with which I saw him speak— that he is one of the hope-inspiring sons and daughters who are doing, and would continue to do their best for Ghana to become the desired place of rest and work for their children and grandchildren.
The System
So what did Dr Selormey share with us in that meeting? A lot! That should be the simplest answer to such a question. But certainly, that would be too short an answer to be enough for such a vital matter we are discussing herein. So I decided to summarise his presentation as this. Here we go:
“Is it your father’s job?”“What or who is it for?” “Is it not government’s job?” “Didn’t we vote?”Kindly pause here. Let me ask you: Does any of these expressions ring a bell as you read them? Without waiting for your response I will take you to the bottom line: they all point to one crystal thought which says’politicians in government must do all’ Thus, ‘it is about them; not us’. In some sense, it is almost as if to say the ‘politicians’ are to blame for all our national woes. Is that true? Or that’s debatable, right? I have no ready answer. But I can share in both opinions. Yet, you see, what we lose sight of is, as John F. Kennedy, Jr. rightly pointed out, that “Politics is too important to be left to the politicians,” Said differently, “Government is too big and too important to be left to the politicians”. Sometimes, I wonder who these politicians truly are. Aren’t they no other people but some of us—Ghanaians?
Therefore, we owe it to ourselves. The system will always haunt us one way or the other if we don’t help it to change. And if I may ask you: what is THE SYSTEM? Here is the answer: “It is you and I; what you and I do”. I just could not help but applaud that young Senior High graduate for the simplicity yet conviction with which she answered this very question during the HuDdle where Richard spoke. How I wish many young Ghanaians of her age understood it, as she does. She was so right! The system is the collective effect of our mindsets, as a nation. That is the system we always blame for our collective retrogression.
The Little Candle
If that is the case, then we —I mean, you and me—have the power to change and improve the system. Especially, with us —the youth. We have the Youth Power! As Dr Yaw Perbi trumpets. Thankfully, it doesn’t take much to help the situation. Solving the challenges may not be as difficult as we may imagine; only if we are truly COMMITTED and willing to sacrifice for OUR greater good! My Liberian friend, Cisco Emmanuel in his book, ‘Between Her Womb & Your Tomb’puts it this way: “If you cannot become the big sun to brighten everywhere [at once] then be that little candle to brighten the little corner wherever you may find yourself”.
If only you and I can commit to dealing with just ONE problem or attitude in your community, one at a time, we will all be amazed at how our dear country would tend out to be in a decade or two to come. And, in addition to the national benefits, are also great personal benefits each one of us stands to enjoy as a bye product. I have taken to serving the ageing. What about you? Please, let us adopt a better of the mind’s paradigm! We cannot work with di wo fie asɛm. No! It must be “sɛɔman bɛyeyie a…efiri me ne wo”.Indeed,“…if this country will do well, it depends on me and you…”Together, we can all help in building a well-developed Ghana! Let’s “just do it”!!