ALWAYS USE THE THREE MAGIC WORDS – ‘Please’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘Sorry’. These words are said to show the true character of individuals in society. It is expected that when someone shows kindness it is only proper to say thank you. When you offend people you show remorse by apologising and for help or assistance adding please to your request shows how courteous an individual is.
GREETING- In the Ghanaian setting there is a right and proper way of greeting the elderly especially at a gathering. It is very much revered to use the right hand to greet in Ghana and some countries as it shows respect. It is important to also greet people from right to left, regardless of the age or gender or status of the people you are greeting.
– When you get an environment where people are already there it is demanded of you to greet them first. Let’s take an instance of the classroom. The students are already seated when the teacher gets in he or she offers greetings to the student before other matters take place. In a situation where there is a large group you can send a wave of greeting across to them
RECEIVING: Still on the subject matter of using right hand it is appropriate to always receive and give items to people using the right hand. Using the left portrays a sign of disrespect, there is a notion that your left hand is considered your ‘toilet hand’, this is because the left hand is known to be used in cleaning the buttocks after excretion.
DEFORMITY – Never mock persons with deformities. It is believed they did not create themselves or wish to be what they are. In the Ghanaian culture it is believed that when you mock such persons you end up becoming like them or you give birth to one, which will teach you the lesson of not mocking such people. Ghanaians are a very hospitable and traditional people. It is important to abide by these few tips to help integrate into a Ghanaian society. Ghanaians everywhere; home and abroad take tradition seriously. Hence, there is no exception; young and old must endeavour to be great ambassadors of Ghana.
