Joe Yapzor

I recently read that Ghana ranked 3rd globally in the World Generosity Report, an impressive feat that highlights how deeply rooted kindness and generosity are in our culture. But then I paused and wondered: Is our generosity always beneficial? Or does it sometimes do more harm than good? As someone who has personally suffered from well-meaning Ghanaian generosity, I invite you to walk with me for a moment.

The most recent episode happened on 21st June 2025. I was already running late for the *Manasseh and Friends Creative Writing Clinic* at the MTN Headquarters in Ridge. Though I had lived in Accra for a year and was fairly familiar with the Legon-Accra stretch, this particular journey was different. I was heading from Teshie to Ridge and needed some help with directions.

_”Driver, me ko MTN Headquarters. Hɛnfa na mɛfa car?”_ I asked.

To my surprise, neither the driver nor his mate knew the way. That was worrying. But just as I was beginning to panic, a woman onboard offered to help. I sighed with relief until I realised she was as clueless as I was.

As I told you to walk with me, those were her words, but in Twi. So I followed. For nearly 15 minutes, we walked from Tema Station to the heart of Makola Market. At some point, she asked another person for directions to the MTN Office. That’s when it hit me: she didn’t know the place either. A blind guide had led a blind me!

From there, I was passed on like a baton in a relay, each person pointing in a different direction with conviction. I spent another 30 minutes zigzagging through the busy markets of Kantomato, Makola, and Tudu, only to realise that everyone had been directing me to various MTN Community Centres, not the MTN Headquarters

Finally, I pulled out my phone and referred to the directions posted earlier in the event WhatsApp group. I began asking for directions to Ridge instead. A taxi seemed like the best option, but considering the traffic, I chose to hop on an okada. Six minutes later, I was at MTN Headquarters sweaty, stressed, but grateful.

I arrived much later than I had anticipated. But the rich insights from Manasseh Azure Awuni and his friends made every bit of the stress worth it.

In hindsight, I admit it was partly my fault. I had asked for directions using unfamiliar or vague terms. But the eagerness of Ghanaians to help even when they don’t know increased my confusion.

So yes, Ghana may be one of the most generous countries in the world, but sometimes, our kindness comes with unintended consequences.

Happy 40th Birthday, Bongo Boy, MANASSEH AZURE AWUNI, May you continue to inspire us to courageously speak truth despite the unintended consequences of such truth.