Ghana is 68 years old, and if there’s one thing we do best, it’s doing things the Ghanaian way.
Whether it’s how we talk, eat, or even store food, you just know when something has pure Ghanaian energy.
READ MORE: #GhanaAt67: How Ghanaian Celebrities and influencers celebrated Independence Day
Here are 28 things that are done the Ghanaian way—because why do we call soda ‘mineral’ again?
1. Saying “Please” Before Everything… Even Insults
Ghanaians are polite by force. “Please, you don’t have sense.” “Yes, please, you’re very stupid.” It softens the blow, but the insult is still hitting hard.
2. Greeting Everybody, Even Strangers
Walk into a room and ignore greetings? That’s disrespectful. Even in a trotro, you must say, “Good morning.” Otherwise, you’re a witch.
3. Keeping Ice Cream Containers to Store Soup
You open the fridge thinking it’s vanilla ice cream? Nope. It’s palmnut soup. In Ghana, ice cream containers have a second life as soup, stew, and shito storage. If you don’t do this, are you even Ghanaian?
4. Praying Before Anything… Even When the Event is One Hour Late
Party started at 3 PM but no one has arrived. At 5 PM, people are seated. But before the program starts? A very hot prayer that can last another 30 minutes.
5. Kicking Off the Day With Waakye or Kenkey
Light breakfast? Ghana doesn’t know her. We wake up and go straight for heavy food.
Waakye, kenkey, fufu, banku—bring it on.
6.“I’m Almost There” – Even When You Just Woke Up
You’re still lying in bed, scrolling on your phone, but when someone calls:
“I’m five minutes away.” Meanwhile, you haven’t even bathed.
7. Calling Every Fizzy Drink “Mineral” Like We Own the Whole Industry
i don’t understand why kumasi people call coke and fanta, minerals 🤣🤣🤣🤣
— Kwame Boakye (@Benedytte) September 14, 2022
Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Pepsi… in Ghana, they all fall under one category: mineral. No one really knows where it started, but if it’s fizzy, it’s a mineral. Period.
8. Tea and Bread? That’s Dessert
Ghanaians don’t believe in “light breakfast.” If tea and bread is on the menu, it’s for chilling after the real meal.
9. Adding Egg to Everything
Waakye? Add egg, Fufu? Add egg, Jollof? Add egg, Egg? Add egg. We are the Egg Nation for a reason
10. Going to the Hospital? First, Try Aboniki Balm
Sprained your ankle? Rub Aboniki, Got a headache? Rub Aboniki, feeling sad? Rub Aboniki. It’s the cure for everything, according to your Ghanaian mother.
11. Fighting for the Bigger Meat at Every Party
Every Ghanaian knows that jollof portions are not equal. If you don’t grab the biggest chicken at a party, someone else will.
12. Every Ache is “Malaria” Until Further Notice
Ghanaian parents don’t believe in complex illnesses. Fever? Malaria.
Tired? Malaria. Your heart is broken? Malaria.
13. Never Throwing Away Butter or Biscuit Containers
Blue Band container? It’s now a sewing kit. Mayonnaise bottle? New shito storage.
We recycle before it was even trendy.
14. Explaining Directions With Landmarks Only
Instead of giving house numbers, we say: “When you reach the big mango tree, turn left. If you see the blue kiosk, call me.”
15. Borrowing Salt From the Neighbor But Staying to Gossip
It starts with, “Please, can I get small salt?” Next thing, you’re there for two hours discussing the whole neighborhood’s business.
16. Watching TV With Your Parents? Avoid Romantic Scenes
It’s all good until a kiss scene comes on. Suddenly, your parents clear their throat and give you the side-eye. “Is this what you watch?
17. “Your Shoe is Nice” Means “Give It to Me”
A Ghanaian compliment is always a low-key request. “Ei, your watch is nice o.” – Translation: Be generous and dash it to me.
18. Telling Kids, “Bring Me That Thing” Without Pointing At Anything
Parents expect you to read their minds. If you bring the wrong thing, get ready for “Ah! Do you have sense?”
19. Buying Something Small and Saying “Put Plastic”
Bought one tin of milk? We still need double plastic bags.
20. Drinking From Sachet Water Like a Pro
There’s a special way to bite pure water. If you don’t know it, we need to check your Ghana Card
21.Going to The Bank and Seeing 100 People in Line
No matter what time you arrive, there’s always a long queue.
22. Fake Promises to Visit People
“I’ll come and see you tomorrow.” Tomorrow = Next year.
23. Waiting for Someone to Open Their Snacks So You Can Also Eat
They open biscuits? You suddenly appear. “Oh, what are you eating?”
24. Telling Your Barber or Hairdresser, “Just Small” But Changing Your Whole Look
You sit in the chair and say, “Just trim small.” Next thing you know, you’re unrecognizable.
25. Eating Rice With Your Hands When the Spoon is Right There
Fork and spoon are for visitors. Real Ghanaians use their hands.
26. Shouting “Ei!” When You See Something Shocking
No words needed—just a long “Eiiiiiiiii” and everybody will understand.
27. “I’ll Give You Change” But They Never Do
You buy something and the seller says, “Take the thing, I’ll bring your change.”
Just forget about that money.
28. Turning Off the Fan Before Killing a Mosquito
It’s a full military operation. Fan off. Lights on. Mission: Eliminate the enemy.
