The recent wave of student misconducts, episodes of indiscipline and a wave of vandalism among Ghanaians students have drawn national attention, condemnation, outrage and disappointment in the general Ghanaian public discourse.
Some have tried to pinpoint the source of the problem while some are just in utter shock and have tried to figure out what might be wrong. Some believe it is the fault of bad parenting, whilst others blame the problem on “loosening” discipline measures or rules in the Ghanaian society particularly in schools and at home. Others think an intrusion of western culture and the influence of social media are to be blamed. Some have even said it’s because of human rights instruments and provisions that have led to student rowdiness and lack of discipline in the Ghanaian society.
Are they right? Why do people say that? Why do our people blame all ills in our society on the White man and his culture? Why do those cultures and influences of social media not necessarily making other kids in society bad but African kids?
Last year, a group of young girls in a video that spread on social media spat out profanity and people blamed that too on western cultural influence. Often I hear about a growing incidents of teenage pregnancies and people blame western culture or social media. But is that true? Are those assertions based on facts or any evidence? Or just a perception? On the basis of what do people say that? Racism or prejudice? Are people in denial or what is going on here?
On the average, 80% of the population in the advanced world have internet access compared to 20% of Africans? How can people with limited access to internet or electronic gadgets be worse impacted than those with higher access?
My opinion!
The fact is our society is sick and many refuse to accept that hard truth. It’s a society where personal responsibility is almost always lacking on the part of many. Everything is blamed on the outsider or an external being or entity. It’s a society whereby a broken marriage is blamed on “witchcraft” or “demon”. Unemployment, an illness, disability or poverty are all because of someone else; not due to our individual choices, mistakes, failures or normal life events.
Take a look at the student behaviour and look at the Ghanaian adults conducts on the mainstream media or social media and see if you see a difference? Look around any nearby predominantly Ghanaian neighbourhood or community and watch the behaviours of the adults and recognize the similarities or any differences! Listen to political discourses and see if there are identical patterns here! Watch many of the prominent community leaders including political and religious leaders and see what they are modeling.
Observe the behaviours of many Ghanaian parents and tell me what you see. What language are the parents using? How do they talk about other people including neighbours and political leaders and tell me where the students learned their behaviours from!
What do the students and children watch on tv or on their gadgets and who subscribed to them? Who monitors the children? Do the children watch the Canadian kids? Canadian Prime Minister or Canadian students and their interactions with their teachers?
Why can’t we take responsibility for once? Why can’t we face reality? Does anyone watch the kids and what they may be up to? Does anyone talk to them to know their problems? Has anyone studied their behaviours to look for solutions and other corrective measures or we just assume to have a solution? If we have the solution why isn’t that working?
The fact of the matter is society evolves, culture evolves and now with information technology we ought to catch and update our methods of discipline! We ought to learn more effective and friendlier ways of dealing with modern children. We can’t turn the clock to visit the ancient times. If we so have better strategies where are they? Why can’t we see that in the outcomes?
The adults ought to conduct themselves properly and emulate good behaviour. You cannot preach to children and act differently.
Blaming western culture and social media is not going to solve any problem. That cannot fix the behaviours of children or students.
Get this! Insulting political leaders and school authorities are not permissible behaviours in any decent society. Children here in the western world are expected to respect their teachers, authorities and even their classmates and every person. Have you watched real western students interact with their teachers? Have you seen them insult their teachers, presidents or Prime Ministers?
Using f****g words are not considered appropriate language here in the western world but used regularly by Ghanaians. Students in the western world are expected to perform duties and responsibilities including speaking to their teachers or counselors about their concerns and complaints. Vandalism, mischief and violence are not permitted here. It is offensive to blame your failures on someone else’s society and culture.
It is about time we faced reality, admitted to our failures and confronted them. Or we pretend and let the problems go on. Adults insulting other adults on tv, radio, neighborhood rallies and social media and pretend the children do not see? How can you expect a different conduct? How can adults insult or act rude towards other adults and pretend to have a decent culture. The problems lie with the adults and corrosive system!
Singed
Akosua G
Ontario Canada
August 06, 2020