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Neho! Ever since I came of age, one thing has always rubbed me the wrong way. The fact that Government forms ask for us to fill in “our hometown”. Every institution asks it. Even primary schools and universities.
I have asked many Ghanaians what they think about it. Not many have paid any mind to it. And when pressed, they all shrug, and give me a version of we have always done it that way.
There is truth in that. The collection of hometown data was a colonial pet project. But post-colonial Ghana never discontinued the collection of that information with no particular purpose identified.
There is no single government agency that is dedicated to aggregating hometown data. No one can tell you, how many people from Tamale or Tuobodam are in government employment as compared to those from Yendi or Mafi Adidome.
No one can tell you how many people from Salaga have applied for a passport; or even point you to why less Ga’s apply for government identity documents.
Even when the constitution invites us to consider ethnic balance in government appointments, family and friends is the order of the day. So even where there is law encouraging equity, it is ignored.
So this is information that serves and has served no administrative purpose. In a country that has historical ethnic discrimination problems, I can only think of one reason why that information exists on our forms; or at least what it can lead to.
In some democracies, what ethnic data the Government collects from you is not taken for granted. It is litigated (not just in the going to court sense; but consistently challenged). The Government thus always states the purpose of that data and releases periodic reports that allow us to understand how demographically we are faring. Often in that is some attempt of demographic equity.
In Ghana, most forms you complete end up in the dustbin after a period. The data is not stored nor computed anywhere. Aggregating that data doesn’t happen.
Anyway, since I was 16, anytime I complete a Government form, I write a new hometown. So next time you meet me, say hello to your Takoradi, Berekum, Dambai, Osu, Kete Krachi, Ho, Abor, Nyankpala, Akropong, Nungua brother.
Shalom!
By Osagyefo Oliver -Barker Vormawor, Leader, Fix The Country Movement
