#GhanaAt68: You’re Ghanaian if you’ve experienced at least 10 of these 28 things

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

 

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.

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