Ghana: Our Drinking Problem

As a Ghanaian looking from within, alcohol does not seem to be a very big part of our life and culture. The many churches and mosques preach a very strict message of zero tolerance. Many of the churches have even redefined scripture. They say without any proof that the wine at the last supper was non-alcoholic and therefore use diluted squash at their communion service. Traditionally, alcohol and water are used during naming ceremonies as symbolism for honesty and truthfulness. But it seems Ghanaians have seemingly grown so anti-alcohol many now use honey, salty water and water for naming children.

The only time alcohol is mentioned in any serious social discussion is during Christmas periods where you see commercials on telly, campaigning against drink driving and that’s about it for alcohol related issues in Ghana. I could not even tell you the legal age for drinking in Ghana. Its not something that comes up in discussions because everyone is apparently a “non-drinker”. But on my last visit, I could not help but notice the vast number of drinking bars dotted in every corner of every street. You would have to travel a fair distance to find a restaurant, but if you needed a drinking bar, a few steps and you will be in one before you know it. Any little bit of space can be transformed into a drinking bar- ISO containers, marques with wonky legs and every Ghanaian’s favourite, drinking bars under a tree! All you need are tables and chairs and you are in business.

The huge number of these bars seems to suggest it’s a pretty profitable business. Ironic how these businesses are still in operation in a seemingly non-drinking society. It’s like being able to run a successful radio station in a society full of people with hearing disabilities. That is the ingenuity of the Ghanaian drinking bar owner, or maybe Ghanaians are reason why Ghana Breweries Limited and Guinness Ghana Limited are still in business? 

Hard to admit, but I think Ghana has a drinking problem! Well, not the kind you would see in the streets of England. Ghanaian’s do not drink till they chuck their guts out or till they lose all recollection of the night before. Hangover is not a very common word in Ghana. Our problem is not binge drinking, our problem is denial. Clearly we do enjoy a drink, and we do drink responsibly but we do it in hiding, in dark dodgy drinking bars. We are like the little boy at school who is too ashamed to come clean about his sexuality. It seems like it’s about time we opened up the debate on our drinking culture. It’s not so much about the legal issues concerning alcohol consumption, it is about society accepting many of its own who enjoy a drink and they do so responsibly so why push them to hide it? That is the problem we need to deal with, that is the discussion we need to start.