Governing the Global Periphery: Socio-economic Development in Service of the Global Core

Walking on the streets of Accra, Ghana, I am struck by the masses of people striding briskly in suits under the scorching sun. No one seems bothered by this unreasonable choice of attire designed for use in temperate and cold climates. I cannot help but ponder the source of such misery — wearing heavy clothing and sweating profusely even though relief, by way of breathable local cotton wear, is readily available and cheaper. Thinking about the situation, my mind is filled with several examples of imported ideas and items that do not quite fit the Ghanaian condition: the use of English language at the risk of losing local languages, the aggressive pursuit of money as the only avenue to happiness, individualism as the emerging substitute for the community-based society that was Ghana, the preference for packaged Western foods, in spite of their proven health hazard to the locals. These are deemed the symbols of successful development and my people are buying into it. Lord save us all!