Ghana: Developing country NOT backwards

Happy as Larry with a bag on a string 

As shrieks of children’s laughter rippled in the air around me my smile grew wider as I watched a little boy, no more than six, speeding along as fast as his little legs could carry him, pulling behind him his new prize possession.

I remember the hours of fun my kite had brought me as a kid, putting my fingers through its grooved pink handle and dragging the rainbow painted fabric across the beach until the wind took it soaring up into the sea salt air.

But this little boy’s kite wasn’t coloured, nor did it have a handle, it was a black plastic bag tied to a piece of string. Nevertheless he was running along as if it was the grandest thing in the sky. As I walked parallel to the open gutter I took in the scenery of my new neighbourhood.

Women sat peeling fruit and vegetables, mothers stood bathing their children, one man was weeing by the road side, while another was asleep in a doorway, and children played barefooted on the dirt road. All around me were people making do with what they had and trying their hardest to get by.

Perfect combination

There is a prevailing image of Africa that only shows the continent’s pain and suffering. An abstract picture is painted to us of a distant scary land compromised entirely of warlords, Aids, starving babies and refugee camps. It is pushed on us so much so it becomes difficult to see its true beauty, ingenuity and growth.

Ghana is a developing country not a backwards country. The pure ignorance and, honestly embarrassing, obliviousness of some people in England astounds me.

Upon my first return home people were shocked to hear of my wild nights in Accra’s finest clubs (that would give most night haunts in the UK a run for their money).

Tell me where in England you can sit in a roof terrace bar, in temperatures above 28 degrees, under the stars, sipping Belvedere, while smoking shisha laced with weed and nibbling lobster, shrimp and other fine food you find in the sea? Exactly.

Just last month I found myself cruising across the Atlantic Ocean in a private speed boat which dropped me off at the most luxuriously insane island party. Once on dry land the first words I heard were would you prefer Veuve Clicquot or Moet?

Pretending to be ballin'

I spent the rest of the afternoon shoulder rubbing media moguls, business tycoons and the fiercest fashion designers on the continent. 

Not forgetting jet skiing, cocktail mixing and visiting every buffet/bbq station more times than I should have.

If a positive image of Africa escapes, it is often about wildlife. Any African worth their salt, or anyone who has had the privilege to visit a country in Africa, can tell you that for this to be the singular image of Africa is ridiculous, irresponsible and dangerous. This other side to Africa has always existed and is coming into its own now more than ever.

There is so much life, colour, hope and change in this country I wake up every day feeling lucky to be here. It has such an exciting and infectious energy, each city has its own unique charms. I urge anyone who hasn't already to spread your wings and explore the continents hidden gems waiting patiently to be discovered.

It might surprise you to learn people over here live in brick houses with roofs, drive the latest range rovers and have iPhone 5’s fused to their fingertips. 

So in future, I beg, save yourself some dignity and refrain from making stupidly ridiculous remarks such as “So you don’t live in a mud hut?”or “Oh my god they have nightclubs in Ghana!” and the next person to appear shocked at the prospect we have Wi-Fi please don’t be offended if I punch you in the face.

Wish you were here XOXO