ETHNICITY AND NEGATIVE CONNOTATIONS WHICH HAVE WANED OVER THE YEARS

Every ethnic group has its negative or positive connotation in Ghana. Actually, these bad connotations were obtained in the olden days. Almost all these bad associations have waned with education. Because we are now open minded, we know all these are trivial. So here we go.

 The Akwapems of Ghana were positively known for being very respectful. So respectful that they sometimes seek permission and apologize before insulting. So they can say:

   “Mr. Ofori, please bear with me, I am sorry but I have to say that you are a fool”

That is how far their respect can go.

The Akans in general were known for their pride. The Asante’s were known for their bragging nature. Even if they lived in mud houses, they could say they live in mansions that have tiled compounds. They could brag to an extent that you may turn in your every life savings to them. 

The Akyems who are also Akans were known for their litigating nature. They would never let a small misunderstanding go. They would rather die than throw in the towel. They would sell everything they have to facilitate their litigation.

There is also the Kwahus where I come from who were also known for money rituals. They are also part of the Akan Kingdom. They were known to be rich people. They were known to kill their loved ones for money in order to stay wealthy. They were also known to be the most hard working.

There are also the Ewes from the Volta Region of Ghana who were also known to be very wicked. They were known for their interest in killing spiritually at the slightest provocation. They were feared because they were believed to easily kill spiritually when provoked or when they covet something. They were also associated with stealing. It was assumed that when you whole heartedly give something to them, they will never accept it, but if you leave, they will turn back and steal the very thing handed over to them on a silver platter.

The Gas of the Greater Accra Region were known for being misers and spending money to no end. They could rent their apartment out for money and stay on their tenant’s corridor. They were also known to be so uncouth and impolite because it was believed that they could insult people to no end.

The Fante’s were known to love meat, when I say love meat, they take too much meat. It was assumed that if you marry a Fante woman, she will use all the money you have to prepare meat filled soups and stews. They were also known for their wickedness in case one marries them and they die. It was believed the funeral rites were to outrageous that the widow or widower could be made to stay with the corpse or grounded pepper will be blown into their eyes.

The Northerners were also known to be very cantankerous, so much so that they will fight with their blood for inconsequential things. They did not value life. They could easily kill without remorse. They were also great farmers and sanitary workers.

The Ga Adagme’s were known for their many taboos especially when one commits a crime.

The Dziasekan group members were also believed to love fighting.

The Sisala’s were known to murder trees using them to burn charcoal. So it was believed that when you marry a Sisala man, you might never prosper in life, because there is no job security.

The Sefwi people are also known for also being ritualist. They are also known to have the worst luck in Ghana. It was believed that, when they greet you in the morning before you eat, you will be saddled with bad luck the whole day.

       Amoafowaa Sefa Cecilia © 2014.