Prevention in Ghana & The Chief never goes Alone

It is important to protect your business

In Ghana there are many one-person businesses and it is adamant for them to protect their business. The first step is to ensure that anything you build or repair will break down within a few months, thus creating a constant flow of orders. Of course, you may be busy or not in need of immediate funds, so you might not always start working on an awarded order right away. The work won’t disappear and it will still be there in one, two, three, whatever months, so no need to hurry. As a silly impatient Westerner, you might think it’s a good idea to find someone else to do the job instead. This proves to be remarkably difficult and once you succeed it becomes painfully clear why. The craftsman from whom the job was stolen reaches for his special cases toolbox and takes some poison to eliminate the thief. This serves as a clear message to everyone in the community: the pool of work is small, and its waters are poisoned.

One funeral could lead to several more

When a loved one has passed away, it is of course a sad time. However, it is also a time for joy, as the inheritance can be divided. It can of course happen that one of the other heirs is greedy and takes more than their fair share. In that case, it is good to know that it often takes quite some time for the funeral to actually take place, so you will have the opportunity to meet those despicable, self-enriching relatives again and take appropriate measures. As the Ghanaians are clearly masters at poisoning, this could lead to several new funerals.

Always be alert

So far, so good. Although it’s creepy, it’s just local folklore. As a Westerner you’re not part of the community, so you’re safe. Or are you? Well, don’t count on it. The threat is there for everybody who is disliked for being rich, or just disliked, or simply is in the wrong place at the wrong time. All Westerners, whether they are or not, carry an invisible halo of wealth in the eyes of the average Ghanaian.
So, if you’re heading out for drinks with friends, there are some rules to follow. Firstly, make sure your drink comes in a bottle and is opened at the table. Secondly, take some preventive steps when going to the loo. Either finish your drink before you go, or take it with you, or if you forgot: just order a new one when you return.

The Chief never goes alone

When the previous local Chief passed away (of natural causes), my brother-in-law asked around whether it was still customary for him to have a servant accompany him. The answer was: “The Chief never goes alone”. He then asked where they would find a servant. The answer was: “The Chief never goes alone”. To be on the safe side, my brother-in-law and his wife immediately left the area and waited for the funeral to be over. Better safe than sorry!

What is next best when you cannot get to someone?

Last week, my brother-in-law shared a new story. The current Chief lives next door. This Chief is not beloved, and he knows. So to remind his surroundings of his vigilance, he regularly shoots into the air. This proves to be effective, as he is still alive. However, someone still very much wanted to get a message across. If you cannot get to someone personally, there are always alternatives. The Chief’s eldest son had a moment of inattention in which he forgot about the above rules. This sealed his fate. Now, every time my brother-in-law hangs up the laundry, he feels a shiver down his spine – the chilling awareness of a grave just a few metres away. It is a stark, tangible reminder that in this world threats not only exist in ones and zeroes, but also in the unseen, deadly details of daily life.