We Bow to Pastors but Not to Common Sense: 9 Habits Ghanaians Need to Drop

Some of these habits are so embedded in our daily lives that we don’t even see the problem. It’s like we’ve convinced ourselves that this is just how things are. But no. These habits are not okay. They’re not cute. They’re not harmless. And no, it’s not “just Ghana.” It’s dysfunction, and it needs to stop. Let’s talk about it.

1. Glorifying suffering

Why do we believe that you must suffer before you enjoy? That if something didn’t stress you out or drain your life force, it wasn’t worth it? You’ll hear things like “You think life is easy?” or “I walked 10 miles to school every day” like that’s an achievement. Okay, but should the next person also suffer like you did?

Even with simple things like using a blender instead of pounding in an earthenware bowl, or using a washing machine instead of scrubbing on your knees. You’ll hear “You’re lazy” or “Ei, you don’t want to sweat small.” Why? What is this obsession with suffering? We romanticize stress, as if convenience is a sin.

And somehow, if you’re enjoying life or making things easier for yourself, people assume you’re being soft or unserious. We really need to unlearn this mindset. Ease is not a bad thing. Joy is not illegal. Let people live.

2. Weaponising respect

Let’s talk. In Ghana, respect is no longer just courtesy. It has turned into fear. We treat older people like gods. Even when they are wrong. Even when they are loud and rude and totally out of line. Why? Because if you talk back, “they can curse you.”

This is why in school, at church, and even in family homes, people are unable to speak up. It’s why some people are so emotionally crippled. Because from childhood, you are taught to obey, not to think. You’re taught to nod, not to question. And if you dare challenge someone older, you’re branded disrespectful or evil.

You’ll see someone bowing to a pastor, shining their shoes, kneeling to greet a stranger, but they haven’t prayed in weeks. Make it make sense.

We need to teach the younger generation that respect doesn’t mean silence. That questioning wrong is not arrogance. That adults can be wrong, and it is okay to say so.

3. Not saying “I don’t know”

This one is serious. Go and watch those street quiz videos. Instead of saying “I don’t know,” a Ghanaian will confidently give a totally wrong answer with full confidence. Ask them someone from Africa is called, they’ll say “Afrikiko.” Ask them which country has the same name as an animal, they’ll say “Ghana.”

Why are we afraid to admit we don’t know something? We think it makes us look dumb, but actually, it makes you look wise. It shows humility. It shows you’re open to learning. But no. We would rather embarrass ourselves with wild guesses than admit we don’t know.

Let’s normalize saying “I don’t know.” It’s not a weakness. It’s emotional maturity.

4. Begging celebrities on social media

This one is getting out of hand. You’ll see Ghanaian users in the comment section of Stonebwoy, Sarkodie, Shatta Wale even international celebrities, typing “Please help me, I haven’t eaten today.” What is this?

And when the celebrity doesn’t respond, they get angry. They’ll even go and comment “Stingy.” Sorry, but is that their responsibility? Must they feed you?

You’ll see someone say “If not for us buying your music, you wouldn’t be here.” Hmm. Okay. So now they owe you their bank account?

Let’s learn some self-respect. You don’t beg someone and then act entitled when they ignore you. It’s not a good look.

5. Blaming the devil for everything

You cheated on your taxes, got audited, now it’s the devil. You stole electricity, ECG cut your light, now it's demonic attack. You didn’t study for your exams, failed, now it’s spiritual warfare. Let’s be serious.

We cannot sow irresponsibility and reap miracles. It doesn’t work like that. Even the Bible says whatever a man sows, he reaps. We act like the devil is jobless and spends his whole life sabotaging Ghanaians only.

It’s time we stop over-spiritualizing every consequence. Take responsibility for your actions. Maybe it’s not Satan. Maybe it’s you, you are the devil in your own life.

6. Lateness as a lifestyle

You’ll hear “event starts at 3 pm” but by 5 pm, people are still getting dressed. In Ghana, GMT doesn’t mean Greenwich Meridian Time. It means Ghana Man’s Time. We’ve made lateness a joke, a meme, even a personality trait.

You’ll be late to a wedding, and when you get there and everything is over, you’ll still complain. “Ah, they couldn’t wait?” Wait for who? For you?

Lateness is not cool. It’s not quirky. It’s disrespectful. Let’s fix it.

7. Ignoring zebra crossings like they’re decoration

As a pedestrian, standing at a zebra crossing in Ghana is a joke. You can stand there for hours and not a single driver will stop. Whether it's a taxi, trotro, or Range Rover, no one will stop.

Why do we have zebra crossings if we treat them like suggestions? People risk their lives daily just trying to cross the road. And then we wonder why accidents are so high.

Drivers, stopping at zebra crossings is not a favor. It’s the law. Obey it.

8. Destroying public property

You know that trash bin the government gave the neighborhood? It’s missing. Someone stole it.

That nice public bench? Broken. That new school building? Peeled paint, stolen light bulbs, broken doors. Why? Because “it’s not mine.” That’s the attitude.

And the most ironic part? The same people who destroy these things are the ones posting “Ghana needs to be like Dubai.” Sir, Dubai didn’t get clean and organized by destroying government property.

We need to adopt a maintenance culture. If it belongs to the public, it still belongs to you. Take care of it.

9. Littering like it’s your job

Littering is illegal. But in Ghana, it might as well be encouraged. Someone will throw sachet water out of a moving car and then ask “What? Won’t the Zoomlion clean it?”

People eat in traffic and dump the leftovers on the road. We treat the streets like one big trash can. And when it floods, then it’s government’s fault.

Newsflash. That plastic you just dumped will block a drain. That bag will end up in a gutter. And when the whole area floods, we’ll all suffer.

Clean environments start with personal responsibility. You are not too important to carry your trash until you find a bin.

Final thoughts

These habits aren’t just “Ghanaian behavior.” They are destructive. They hurt us as a country. They make life harder, not easier. It’s time we stopped normalizing them.

We can love our country and still want it to grow. And growth starts with truth.

Let’s fix it. One habit at a time.