Of wizards, football, money and societal values: the Ghanaian Story

I am still yet to come to terms with the revelation by self acclaimed most powerful jujuman in Ghana Kwaku Bonsam that he is the cause of the injuries of Portuguese football star Christiano Ronaldo. Ever since he burst into the limelight some five or so years ago, Kwaku Bonsam has not spared any "opportunity" to tell us all about just how powerful he is and compares himself to the legendary Okomfo Anokye of old Asanteman. He has strutted about town with a swag of a latter day hip-hop artiste and lives a flamboyant lifestyle as he seeks to give some modern taste to his trade in esoteric realms. In case you didn't know, he has a website which is kept updated.

 

Kwaku Bonsam spent a year or two in the Bronx of New York and his daily exploits were captured in film as cameras followed him about like he was a member of the Kardashian tribe. But, wait, he is a jujuman man, a witch doctor, from Ghana.

 I still remember one morning in 2009 when he was given a slot on TV3 morning show to display his powers. I watched as he conjured money from god knows where to the gleeful excitement of the show host. Ever since that time, a question has nagged me so long for answers; where are we going as a country as far as science and technology and hard work supported with research, are concerned?

Not a day passes by without a new movie being released unto the Ghanaian market by  Kumawood (name for the local-largely Kumasi based-movie industry especially). Most of these movies usually go along the story line of people dabbling in the occult and fetish practices, witches and wizards, dragons running amok and benevolent spirits blessing their adherents. If movies are a reflection of the sociocultural outlook of a people, then it is indeed sad to note that they indeed do not present a good view about Ghanaians and the values we hold dear as a society. 

In the years gone by, values such as hard work, diligence and the strive for excellence were held in high esteem. This is however fast eroding by the day as people seek other "means" of making money and enjoying societal goods. These days, fetish priests, mallams, and juju men jostle for airtime to advertise their wares on radio and television. Some are known to be sponsors of prime time news on some radio and television stations much to the chagrin of our collective sensibilities. The society is saddled with the burden of young men and women dabbling in the occult and amassing wealth their parents could only dream of in a fufu induced dream. Stories abound about some of them dying horrible and disgusting deaths after they failed to meet their end of the contract with juju men or the years they were given to enjoy their wealth expiring.

 



Kwaku Bonsam

 

Have we as a society sat down to ponder about the dangers of promoting such bizarre and twisted wealth creation avenue by our young people? What sort of future are we leaving behind for posterity if we adopt a policy of "ways and means" and "the end justifies the means"? If we continue to let the likes of Kwaku Bonsam to hold sway and dictate the values of society, and we push hard work, diligence, investment in the background, we should not be surprise if young people start slaughtering their mothers in the names of sacrifice for a money rain.

 

We seem to have relegated the importance of science, and research into appropriate technology to the background in our quest to deal with our numerous problems and are on the look out for benevolent spirits to have mercy on us and rain money on us. As for those so-called men of God selling "blessed water" & "frytol" as quick fix avenues to riches, their story will be told another day. 

In the mean time, I wish Kwaku Bonsam will channel his so-call powers to helping us deal with our energy crises. Can we have some unusual rains at the Bui Dam which is close to a shutdown due to falling water levels? How about calling upon some dwarfs to  "arrest" the falling currency? Oh, wait, that will be too much to ask for I guess. That will be him doing some good with his "powers' for a change. Rendering Christiano Ronaldo injured for the World Cup, is a more worthier course in his estimation. He should just as well, cripple all the players of the world cup teams so the cup is given to Ghana and case close; we have won the cup!!

This is the sort of society Ghana has become after some 57 years of independence; one where Sakawa boys (and girls) are the heroes and role models for most of our youths. One where juju men and occults blatantly advertise their services and have become the first point of resolution for life's troubles. A society where the motto is easily "get rich or die trying, any means possible".