We all know the current campaign by the government, promoting “Made In Ghana” culture and products but what we find funny is when well-to-do people mostly in the government try to stoop low and fake it just to please the low class in our society.
We all remember before the 2012 elections, Akuffo Addo, as part of his campaign, went to some villages to eat with them by sitting on the local wooden chair, he took “trotro (local bus)” just to make the people know he’s on their level.
I find these attempts as a faux pas – that is faking it to deceive people. From what we know, Akuffo Addo was born into a very rich home, he has never used public transport before, he owns houses all over the country.
Akuffo Addo is not the only one, days ago, Ghana’s deputy minister of tourism decided to take Ghanaians back the way we used to eat but failed terribly. Her attempt didn’t amuse fans of her Facebook page as she was lashed for her failed attempt. If you want to do it, then you might as well do it right or well, no half job and hypocrisy here.
Her intention was well meaning — to promote indigenous products — but little did Ghana’s Deputy Minister of Tourism, Dzifa Abla Gomashie-Ahiaglo, know that her publicity stunt would be a blunder!
In an attempt to exemplify President John Dramani Mahama’s call to Ghanaians to patronise locally manufactured goods, the veteran actress and a queenmother caused a big faux pas in table etiquette.
In what could be described as a staged photograph shared on her Facebook wall, the minister was seen eating rice in traditional leaves with fork and knife instead of her hands, as is the norm.Like seriously?
“Having lunch in the traditional and culturally aware way.The leaves add flavour and aroma plus it is biodegradable unlike “take away” and polythene bags. One love!”
she explained the motive for using the leaves in a caption to the picture. As a restaurant owner, one would argue she’s on top of her game when it comes to table etiquette.
But wait a minute, if that’s what’s on your mind, then you’re wrong! She had her lunch in her air-conditioned office behind her official working desk. Is there no lunchroom or kitchen in her ministry?
While some people have hailed her move, others have come down heavily on the minister for such a gaffe although they agreed the motive was well intentioned.
Meanwhile, critics say the display is just an act and not something she has been promoting, adding that is going to be a nine-day wonder. They also doubted whether it would be a daily routine for the deputy minister to be eating from leaves.
What do you think about her act, do you think it was genuine or fake or she is being a hypocrite. Let us know your comments.
Infoboxxx.Com contributed to this article.