The Rainmaker writes: The real new year’s resolution Ghanaians need

The following piece is borne out of some introspection I conducted and believe it is applicable to every Ghanaians, me included.

We have entered another year, and as usual peculiar tradition emerges on social media in Ghana. Among the calls for personal renewal and fresh starts comes a curious refrain: “Nobody should enter the new year with the same old bras or pajamas.”

It’s said in good humour, but it reveals something deeper about our culture. We are obsessed with outward appearances and symbolic gestures of change, while the more significant work of transforming attitudes, values, and character often goes unaddressed.

In Ghana, we are quick to point fingers and slow to look in the mirror. We demand accountability from politicians and public figures, holding them to standards that we, as individuals, often fail to meet.

The irony is glaring: we expect leaders to fix the country, yet many of us evade taxes, jump red lights, ignore speed limits, litter indiscriminately, and engage in corrupt and unscrupulous practices at the grassroots level. The culture of double standards and hypocrisy has become so pervasive that it stifles the very progress we collectively yearn for.

It is common in Ghana to hear people criticize politicians for corruption and mismanagement. These criticisms are valid and necessary. However, the same individuals will bribe their way through traffic stops, inflate invoices at work, or cut corners wherever possible. How can we demand integrity from our leaders when we fail to practice it in our own spheres?

 

Even in our interactions with one another, hypocrisy abounds. On social media, we rally against body shaming and bullying, yet we ridicule others for their outfits, accents, or lifestyles. We denounce tribalism publicly but perpetuate it privately in our homes and workplaces. We advocate for justice and fairness but turn a blind eye when our actions benefit us at someone else’s expense.

This double standard extends to how we treat public figures. Celebrities, politicians, and influencers are subjected to unrelenting scrutiny, yet we often excuse or justify our own shortcomings. It’s easy to criticize others when the spotlight isn’t on us, but the true test of character lies in what we do when no one is watching.

One of the most pervasive influences on Ghanaian society today is social media. While it has given a voice to the voiceless and connected communities, it has also become a breeding ground for superficiality, toxic comparisons, and misplaced priorities.

Social media has conditioned many of us to prioritize appearance over substance. Trends dictate what we wear, how we speak, and even what values we pretend to uphold. Instead of pursuing meaningful growth, we chase viral moments and the fleeting approval of likes and comments.

The impact is far-reaching. Instead of building authentic relationships, many now curate their lives for public consumption. Instead of taking the time to learn, grow, and evolve, we look for shortcuts that make us appear successful without the work. Social media should be a tool for connection and learning, but too often, it becomes a trap that distracts us from what truly matters.

If we are to grow as individuals and as a society, we must free ourselves from the curse of trends. We must focus on long-term development rather than the fleeting validation of online applause. Growth is not glamorous, and it is rarely immediate. It requires discipline, consistency, and a willingness to face challenges head-on.

At its core, life is about growth. Personal growth, family growth, and communal growth are all essential for a thriving society. Yet, in Ghana, we often neglect this pursuit in favour of quick fixes and immediate gratification.

Real growth requires self-awareness. It demands that we confront our weaknesses and actively work to improve them. It means setting goals that challenge us and stepping out of our comfort zones to achieve them.

But growth is not just an individual responsibility—it is a collective one. When families prioritize values like honesty, respect, and compassion, they create a foundation for stronger communities. When communities invest in education, mentorship, and opportunities for youth, they lay the groundwork for national progress where everyone has a shot irrespective of which family or ethnicity they belong to.

As Ghanaians, we must embrace a growth mindset. We must stop looking for shortcuts and start valuing the process. Growth takes time, and it often comes with setbacks, but the rewards are worth the hustle and wait.

At the heart of many of Ghana’s challenges is the erosion of family values. Families are the foundation of society, and when they are strong, the ripple effect is felt across communities and nations. Unfortunately, the pressures of modern life, combined with a growing emphasis on individualism, have weakened this foundation.

Parents are often too busy to instill core values in their children, leaving schools or social media to fill the gap. Respect for elders, kindness, hard work, and accountability—values that once defined Ghanaian society—are slowly fading. Yet, these values are crucial for shaping individuals who will lead with integrity and compassion.

If we want to see a better Ghana, we must start by strengthening our families. Parents must prioritize spending quality time with their children, teaching them not just by words but by example. Extended families, once a cornerstone of our culture, must reconnect and play their role in fostering love and unity. When families thrive, communities thrive, and when communities thrive, the nation prospers.

The spirit of communal living, a hallmark of Ghanaian culture, is also under threat. Once, we took pride in looking out for our neighbors, sharing what we had, and building together. Now, individual success often comes at the expense of the collective good.

This lack of community spirit manifests in various ways. We see it in how we disregard public spaces, treating them as someone else’s responsibility. We see it in how we exploit others for personal gain, rather than working together to uplift everyone. We see it in our reluctance to invest in long-term projects that benefit our communities, preferring quick wins that serve only a few.

Rebuilding our love for community starts with a mindset shift. We must recognize that our individual actions contribute to the larger whole. Whether it’s keeping our streets clean, supporting local businesses, or volunteering for community projects, every small effort matters. Loving our community means seeing ourselves as part of something bigger and working to make it better for everyone even when we don’t see an immediate impact of our own positive actions.

Perhaps the most compelling reason to change our mindsets is the legacy we leave for future generations. Ghana is a young nation with enormous potential, but we risk squandering it if we do not address our attitudes and values.

Future generations will inherit the systems we build—or fail to build—today. If we continue to prioritize appearances over substance, shortcuts over hard work, and blame over responsibility, we leave them a legacy of dysfunction. But if we choose to act with integrity, foster collaboration, and embrace patience, we set the stage for a truly lasting progress.

Our children are watching. They see how we treat one another, how we handle challenges, and how we respond to failure. It is in our modeling of values like honesty, empathy, and perseverance, that we give them the tools they need to build a better future.

If Ghana is to progress, we must begin with ourselves. Accountability should not be limited to politicians and public figures; it must start in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We must recognize that every small act of dishonesty, selfishness, or negligence contributes to the larger problems we face as a nation.

Imagine the collective impact if every Ghanaian committed to paying their taxes, disposing of waste properly, and treating others with respect. Imagine if we extended the same scrutiny we give to politicians to our own actions and choices. Progress is not a one-way street—it requires all of us to play our part.

As the new year progresses, let us challenge ourselves to go beyond the superficial resolutions. Let us focus on changing the mindsets and values that hold us back. It is not enough to demand better governance; we must also strive to be better stewards of the nation and life we have been given. It is not enough to criticize corruption; we must also cultivate integrity. It is not enough to call for change; we must also be the change.

Let us embrace growth, reject the distractions of social media, and prioritize the values that truly matter—love, integrity, and community. Let 2025 not just be another year of recycled complaints and misplaced priorities but a year of true transformation. Ghana deserves better, and so do we. The future depends on the choices we make today.

I will give my all to live differently this year, I will fail sometimes but I won’t stop. Never!

Go Forward. Make Rain
Shalom!

The Rainmaker