#obroni

In Ghana “obroni” (an Akan word from the Akan language) used to be reserved for only ‘white’ people. But in recent times, this word has gone through some metamorphosis and seems to refer to anyone who has an accent, is fair in complexion and is a ‘foreigner’. Even some Ghanaians are called “obroni” because they put up attitudes that seem a little outside what we are used to here in Ghana. Through observation, the name “obroni” comes with some special privileges and attention from some Ghanaians but that is far from what my problem is! As a matter of fact, I could care less about that.

However, I have a big problem when another dark-skinned person is made to feel inferior to another person because the latter is an “obroni”. That is exactly where the problem is for me. There is nothing worse than being treated like an inferior alien by people from your own country in your country. It does not seem to make sense but that is the case. Is it not enough to be treated badly on another man’s soil because you are “koo blackie”? Do our fellow people need to contribute to the already existing stereotypes and constructs surrounding dark-skinned people when we are already constantly trying to deconstruct these structures? Why should I be seen like I am less capable of affording a certain kind of item, having lunch in a certain kind of restaurant, living in a certain kind of community, riding in a certain kind of car because I am dark-skinned while another is seen to be more capable of getting all these things because of his complexion when he might not own even a dime?.