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Oscar. H Blayton
Bunmi Adekunle
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Oluwole Akindutire
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William J. Zick
The Westernisation of Accra: Modernisation or Westernisation?
Last two weeks, I caught a taxi at the Tetteh-Quarshie interchange, which was going towards the Spintex Road. In it were two other men, and one woman who looked like a market lady. It was clear from the woman’s attire that she was working class–it was a very paled dress–and she was crudely chewing gum. The other two men were a bit different. The one who sat next to me was wearing a tie, and carrying…a blackberry phone!.Meanwhile, the taxi-driver was listening to a radio station–blasting contemporary music–from what looked like a rather swanky radio, with lights all over the place. I can definitively say that three of us in that taxi were carrying a mobile phone, and we were all heading towards a rather affluent part of Accra, which is what the Spintex Road is fast and furiously becoming.
As I plodded on home, I thought to myself, shaking my head in disbelief at the perceptions of affluence that one is bombarded with in this country. A blackberry phone?? and being used in a taxi at that?;-)
I wondered to what extent that suggested Ghana was being westernised–to the extent that some classes could use a phone like that to check their mail, by way of the mobile internet services available in the country, when there were plenty of internet cafes around. Even if it was the company’s phone he was using–which I doubt–he must have been working in an impressive establishment, which some might consider rather modern.
But to speak of the modernity associated with this encounter–mobile internet; blackberry phone; affluent Spintex Road; swank car radio playing contemporary music; three out of four taxi users owning a mobile phone — is not to say that Ghana has become westernised.
When I started thinking about this topic, I asked around, and some inter-changed modernity with westernisation. I do believe there is a distinct difference.
In my view, modernisation can mean good, tarred roads; access to latest mobile phones (with mobile internet access that is inexpensive); high-rise buildings; provision of social services; ample streetlights–to name but a few–but is that westernisation?
The reason why I would throw away the westernisation tag here is that even if Ghana possesses good roads, which we do and there are well-structured houses–both within and outside the Estate structures, as found in Manetville and Regimanuel, what proves Ghanaians have been westernised? Is it the life-styles and the attitudes that are ever-changing?
You can pick an illiterate from the village, clothe him with either cheap (Chinese-made) clothes, or those from Woolworths; and put him in a fast-food joint like papaye. Would that make him Western or an illiterate in a modernised Accra?
Again, I belive that in any fashioning of a Westernisation argument, we arrive at a point when the critical and defining characteristic…starts with education–even a modicum of it–that compels the individual to make informed and discerning choices. As such, a greater acquisition of this education–or knowledge–would compel the Ghanaian to appreciate certain precepts and norms that the West has gotten used to. These include: self-discipline; implementation of laws by authorities; and regulation.
This raises another question: even if there is all of these in Accra at a rate that is acceptable to all, how far would it go in making Ghanaians westernised?
The quick-and-short answer to that, I would say, is that the three elements I have listed above would begin to mean something to Ghanaians once they started to become increasingly middle class.
Next week, I shall be looking at whether there is any self-discipline in Accra; whether there are implementation of laws by authorities; and the extent to which regulation works. I shall also look at whether there actually is a middle class. If so, are these the footsoldiers of what I’m calling a “westernisation” process?
Muti This
Donald Thieme | Jun 18, 2007 | Reply
I am not certain whether what you describe should be regarded as “westernization” or not. Most of these new electronic devices are now manufactured in Asia, after all. From what I understand, China is playing an even more central role in the development of West Africa than any of the former colonial powers or the United States.
In any case, you have profound thoughts here about Ghana which are relevant to Africa and Africans in general.
Emmanuel.K. Bensah | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
Don, the China factor cannot, these days, be divorced from the debate on Africa. That said, I think it’s difficult to conceive of westernisation without *even* Chinese-made gadgets, which do make our lives easier and more convenient…
Donald Thieme | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
What I am thinking is that I can recall that around ten years ago neither cell phones nor sport-utility vehicles (SUVs) were that common on streets here in the eastern United States. Those devices and the behaviors that go with them spread out from Los Angeles then, but I actually think the cell phones have had their peak usage and fashionability in the big cities of the Pacific Rim, particularly Tokyo and Singapore. So, perhaps what you are describing is more like “calification” or “asianization”?
omodudu | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
This is eye opening.
Benin Mwangi | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
Indeed. Eye opening. But whether westernization, calification, or just modernization more change is coming. That is the one constant in life.
Additionally Mr. Bensah, you ponder a deep question and I would agree with you modernization and Westernization are totally different. Japan would be the biggest example of someone who is the most technologically advanced on the planet but almost anti-western in the sense that the societal unit there is the larger family and the ancestor. Whereas the West is all about rugged individualism.
Japan and other countries in Asia prove that you don’t have to be Western to have a booming economy affording the masses access to the latest gadgetry.
Thanks for a thought provoking piece! BTW, I hear it is now all too common to see people in Accra driving around in brand new Hummers and other high priced SUV’s that make s me again wonder about the types of jobs that are making this lifestyle possible. But then again, it’s Ghana-the economic gateway to West Africa, so guess its to be expected.
omodudu | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
Argh argh Ben. New Hummers do not represent prosperity on the African continent. There is a very strong force behind big cars and big houses, which is not immediate obvious to Western trained analyst. According the same weight (indicators) to this possessions as you would in the west would definitely lead to erroneous conclusions.
Omotaylor | Jun 19, 2007 | Reply
Ghana should be careful and not be locked in a viscious circle. Remember the past and learn from it. Modernisation and progress, + flashy cars and stately mansions are only a blessing if not begotten of ill gotten wealth. Modernisation is progressive, but beware…
E.K.Bensah | Jun 20, 2007 | Reply
Benin–your points on Japan are very well-noted. You mention a “rugged individualism”, which is not exactly how I wowuld begin to describe Accra at the moment. That said, I do sense a degree of individualism growing in the capital–as exemplified by the increasing number of private cars on the road, as well as the emergence of the telecom sector that advocates services that are, quite frankly, conducive to an individualism. These include: text messaging, which, whilst very useful, can disturb the quintessential cohesiveness associated with Ghanaian families which prefer to talk to each other than text each other.
My own example is that these days, when I’m getting late home because of traffic, I text to inform my parents, but ultimately also *call*. My Mum rarely responds to text messages–unless I’m in a meeting. Otherwise she prefers me speaking with her–even if for two minutes. Ofcourse, that’s why ONETOUCH’s LIVE SMS is useful, because there, the recipient hears a 30-second clip of one’s voice sent as a txt msg!
All that said, Benin, many thanks for encouraging me to think more!!
As for the hummers, like omodudu and omotaylor are hinting at, please don’t be deceived. Those hummers are expensive things. The average Ghanaian will not waste their time on that–unless they’re involved in something slightly illegal–like drug smuggling?
Places like East Legon, where I work, is replete with grandiloquent/huge houses, with such-like cars. The are is already exclusive and expensive. You’re likely to see Westerners here–renting! And rarely owning. Yet, there are many Ghanaians who OWN houses here, and the rumour mill is that they’ve been doing, or been associated with people who have been involved in “extra-curricular” illegal activities!!
E.K.Bensah | Jun 20, 2007 | Reply
omodudu–you hit the nail on the head!!
E.K.Bensah | Jun 20, 2007 | Reply
omodudu–many thanks for your comments! I’ve touched a bit more on your suggestion about where those big, big cars and houses arae coming from. You’re so right to admonish Ghanaians. We must not act like rabbits in the headlights of an increasing modernisation, which can radically transform into westernisation….
Benin | Jun 20, 2007 | Reply
Guys:
Are we getting a little off the topic? Modernization vs westernization was what I thought we were talking about. If that is the case why admonish anyone?
But since we are on the topic, everyone that I met in GH with the big cars and houses do it overtime. The big house is built in 3, 4, or 5 years-with cash, not debt. I think that is something to be proud of, ironically in the States someone that has these things is less likely to be affluent than their counterpart in Ghana or Naija with those same possesions.
just my 2 cents…
omodudu | Jun 20, 2007 | Reply
Ben, we admonish becomes, this issues are convoluted. The hummers are trends which often end up being the bar set for young Africans. This may in turn become an unhealthy environment for development. Ghanians should learn from Nigeria’s woes, in the seventies. The oil wealth brought about a forced form of modernisation which only enriched Japan and other producers of luxury goods. Africa’s history is dotted with stories of “getting close to doing it right”. we want to get it right. Many talk about the Chinese, we ought to recognize that while the grunt work was in progress the Chinese government reined in the consumption pattern of its citizenry. The sacrifice required for growth involves more than making a little money and spending it on short term luxury goods. Its almost like a new strain of the Dutch disease syndrome.