Features
Qatar 2022, the West and Africa
The FIFA Mundial has got off in the oil-rich nation of Qatar and our own Black Stars are among the elites of world football to showcase what stuff they are made of.
I have a gut feeling that Ghana’s national team will spring a surprise this time round. As ambassadors of this country, it is my expectation that our boys will lift high the flag of Ghana at the tournament.
My concern today is not about the game itself but about how some Western media platforms have treated the host country in their respective narratives since Qatar won the bid to host the tournament as long as 12 years ago.
Western media practitioners are largely ignorant about the rest of the world. In their commentaries, they falsely posit that the Gulf state only started playing football just a couple of years ago. The truth is that Qatar started playing football in the late 1940s.
The West has a jaundiced perception of all Islamic countries and this is mirrored in their media reportage. The sufferings these countries have gone through to reach where they are, are completely lost on the Western media.
They harp on abuse of human rights and dictatorial tendencies, intolerance of dissent and lack of freedoms. Some even suggested, and campaigned, that the tournament be moved elsewhere because of a so-called ill-treatment of migrant workers in Qatar.
I have no reason to defend Qatar and its treatment of migrant workers. But my search revealed that this is not a state policy. Rather, there are rogue employment agencies that recruit workers under situations akin to enslavement. Some of these agencies are only out to make money out of people desirous of eking a living to support their families back in their respective countries. These agencies have collaborators in the job seekers’ countries.
When these rogue agencies get mentioned to the media by aggrieved and affected migrants, the Qatari Government is blamed. Of course, it makes sense because the government has the duty of ensuring that its labour laws are respected by both employers, agents and employees. However, many agencies operate outside of the laws till someone dies in the line of work and the media raises a flag.
A young friend of mine lives and works in Qatar. Though he is desirous of migrating to the West, he tells me he is well treated as an expat, but also agrees that many blacks are treated badly by their employers. The racist slur, he says, is as rampant in the Gulf as it is in many Western countries.
People work in deplorable conditions in Europe and the Americas. Racism and racial abuse are daily occurrences in these countries but their media projects them as safe havens. You should listen to tomato pickers in Iberia telling their tales.
America and Europe will like to impose whatever catches their fancy on the rest of the world. If you don’t dance to their music, either you are a dictatorship or a pariah state. Or dictating to the rest of the world is not dictatorship?
These Western countries expect you to conform to their way of doing things when you are on their territory. The adage of, “When you go to Rome, do as Romans do,” applies here. However, they expect their citizens to not live by the dictates of countries they visit. This is hypocrisy.
When journalist Jamal Kashoggi was brutally murdered and his body chopped and put in acid on the orders of then Saudi Crown Prince Muhammad bin Salman, then candidate Joe Biden (now US President) swore not to let the Crown Prince off the hook. Today, Joe Biden has granted MBS (the then Crown Prince) immunity from prosecution because he has been appointed Prime Minister of the Saudi Kingdom.
When America under Bush and Britain under Blair killed Saddam Hussein, did they know he was the president of Iraq? When America under Obama and France under Sarkozy got Gaddafi murdered, did they know he was the president of Libya? When it’s for political and economic expediency, the West will throw integrity out the window.
Qatar is an Islamic nation with strict religious edicts. If you want to visit, you are expected to live by the tenets of their belief and way of life. Western media is trumpeting their fancy LGBTQ+ idea as a freedom the authorities in Qatar must subscribe to. Are we there to play and enjoy football or we are there on an orgy of sexual gratification the way it suits our fancy?
As the football tournament progresses, the Western media is looking for cases of arrest of visitors for acts that offend the sensibilities of the Qatari people and will present these as a confirmation of their jaundiced perception of the host country. The success of the organisation of the Mundial will mean nothing to them.
The rest of the world cannot, and should not, be measured by Western standards. The stance of Iran and some radical groups in the Middle East, in my opinion, is a reaction to Western imperialism.
Now, something was posted on my family platform on Qatar ’22. I reproduce it here:
“The FIFA scandal documentary on Netflix is a must watch for every Nigerian vis-a-vis African.
There are huge lessons to take home for the black race regarding his penchant to put personal greed ahead of community good and development.
“Qatar basically won the hosting rights for the world cup by buying up a majority of the members in the 22-man committee which voted in the decision to award the 2022 world cup hosting rights to the gulf nation.
“Michel Platini in return for his vote forced the Qataris to enter into an arms deal with France worth billions of dollars, plus buy their aircraft, and a football club in France (Yeah, that’s how they came about PSG).
“The Brazilians traded their vote for a gas deal which saw the setting up of a fully functional mega gas plant in the Amazon nation.
“The Africans among them asked for 1.5 MILLION DOLLARS wired straight to their personal accounts.
Like bro, you came to the table where nation-changing deals were being made and all you cared for was your personal account balance? Not the millions of lives that could be changed forever? You didn’t ask for your country’s share of those far reaching deals of epic national proportions worth in the regions of several hundred millions of dollars. Instead you went for a self serving interest thereby denying your people the luxury of a better life?
“That Netflix documentary summed up the mentality of the African man in its entirety. If you are wondering why it’s the richest yet poorest continent, look no further.”
True, look no further. But look at this scenario: Imagine I was one of those who voted. Then I asked for the Qatari to invest in the triangular rail line from Takoradi to Kumasi, down to Accra through Koforidua and Asuoyaa. That money lands on the desk of our government . Will the project see the light of day?
It is the behaviour of the thieves Africans elect our leaders that breeds mistrust, thus pushing people to seek their own. Platini knows the French Government will be transparent in accounting to the people. How many of our leaders account to their citizens? I believe I would also give my personal bank account to save our leaders the headache of feasting on the money. I also have family and friends, don’t I?
I can bet my last pesewa that only one African nation’s delegate will deliver to their country if there was such a deal. And that is Rwanda. Rwanda has proved that it is a country that should be taken seriously. Let us enjoy Qatar 2022.
Writer’s email address:
akofa45@yahoo.com
By Dr. Akofa K. Segbefia
Today, I focus on the Apostolic Church International in Finland, as I continue with my description of institutions and personalities and their accomplishments as members of the Ghanaian Diaspora in Finland.
The Apostolic Church International, Finland (or, Apostolic International Association Ry) was established in October 9, 2023. The Church in Finland has seen significant strides and accomplishments within the short time that it has been established in Finland, which must be highlighted.
History of the Church in Ghana
The Apostolic Church Ghana originated from the 1904–1905 Welsh revival, officially established in Ghana (then called Gold Coast) in 1935 following connections between a local prayer group in Asamankese (a town in southern Ghana), led by Peter Newman Anim, and the Apostolic Church, UK. There were historical splits in 1939 and 1953, but the Apostolic Church attained autonomy in 1985.
Today, the Church is headquartered in Accra. Last year (2025), it dedicated its new 10-storey headquarters, “The Apostolic Church Tower,” in Frafraha, Adenta West in Accra.
Activities of the Apostolic Church in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland conducts church service on Sundays. The service starts at 11a.m. in the morning and closes by 1 p.m. in the afternoon. There are no other activities during other days for now.
The Minister in charge of the church in Finland is also the Area Head of Italy Area. He is Pastor Daniel Kofi Addison who is the new Italy Area Head, and has just been transferred from UK South Area to Italy Area during the just-ended Council Meeting in March this year. Italy Area comprises Italy, which has 13 Assemblies, Germany, one Assembly, and Finland, one Assembly.
Elder Ebenezer Amoaning-Coffie is the Presiding Elder in charge of the Assembly in Finland. A Presiding Elder is responsible for day to day activities of the church (Assembly) and reports to the District Pastor, or in the absence of the District Pastor, reports to the Area Head.
Achievements
The Apostolic Church International, Finland was officially registered under the Finnish Law, guaranteeing freedom of worship and providing legal foundation for future growth. The church service is conducted in both English and Twi.
The church opens its doors to all people of every nation, especially Ghanaians who are in Finland and other African nationals. Now, the membership comprises Ghanaians, Nigerians and Sierra Leoneans.
The Church and the Ghanaian migrant community in Finland
The Apostolic Church in Finland plays a prominent role as a religious group that serves Ghanaian migrants and others in the Finnish society.
Thus, the Apostolic Church is a religious body for Ghanaian migrants in Finland and other nationalities who want to worship with them for diversity and better intercultural and multicultural understanding.
Elder Amoaning-Coffie said that the main and primary aim of the church is to bring people closer to God. “We aim to win souls for Christ. We aim to preach the gospel to the world. By propagating the gospel to the people, we are hopeful that they will turn away from any ungodly ways and be good individuals in the community and in society in general”, he stated.
He said that everything is going well so far. A key challenge, however, is how to get more members especially the youth. As a new Assembly, we are in need of instrumentalists, for example. We pray to God Almighty to help us do His work, the Elder disclosed.
Integration
By its activities, the Apostolic Church is helping to ensure integration of its members well into the Finish society. This is important since social interaction and citizens’ well-being are an important part of the integration process in Finland.
As I mentioned some time ago, the role of migrant associations and groups such as the Apostolic Church acting as bridge-builders for the integration and inclusion of migrants through participation in the decision making process and by acting as a representative voice is highly appreciated in Finland. Thank you!
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
The landscape of the Ghanaian palate is shifting, and not necessarily for the better. In our bustling urban centres, from the streets of Accra to the suburbs of Kumasi, a quiet culinary revolution is taking place; one where the mortar and pestle are being replaced by the pizza oven and the deep fryer. This transition from traditional staple foods like fufu, banku, akple, kenkey, tuo zaafi, and ampesi toward “continental” dishes is more than just a change in appetite; it is a reflection of a deeper social struggle with identity and prestige.
The illusion of modernity
For many, “stepping out” for a meal has become synonymous with consuming foreign cuisine. There is an unspoken social hierarchy where a bowl of Abunuabunu is relegated to the village category, while burgers, pizzas are branded as prestigious choices. We have reached a stage where we equate foreign with modern and local with primitive.
This perception is a dangerous illusion. Our traditional dishes are marvels of culinary engineering complex, nutrient-dense, and deeply rooted in our history. When we choose a processed foreign import over a meal made from local tubers or fermented maize, we are not just changing our lunch; we are eroding the indigenous knowledge attached to our local ingredients and foods.
We need to turn the consumption of indigenous grains and tubers like millet, sorghum, and plantain into a statement of self-worth and national pride.
The cultural and health erosion
Every time a local dish disappears from a restaurant menu to make room for foreign fast food, we lose a piece of our cultural fabric. Traditional Ghanaian cooking is an art that requires patience and skill. By choosing the convenience of foreign fast food, we are raising a generation that may know the taste of a pepperoni pizza but cannot identify the rich, earthy profile of Prekese or the subtle tang of well-fermented dough dishes like corn porridge, banku, etew, abolo, agidi or kamfa, and kenkey.
Furthermore, we are at the crossroads of a nutrition transition. Replacing high-fiber, indigenous crops with calorie-dense but nutrient-poor foreign fast foods is driving a rise in lifestyle diseases such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes, stroke, cancer, and liver disease. We are trading our longevity for 15-minutes convenience or unhealthy diet.
A call for culinary patriotism
It is time for us to appreciate, preserve, and promote our indigenous foods and culinary traditions. We need to be proud of our local dishes, ingredients and cooking methods, rather than relying heavily on foreign or imported foods. We must stop viewing our local delicacies as low-class and start treating our culinary heritage as the high-end gastronomy it truly is.
True sophistication does not come from imitating Western fast food; it comes from innovation and adding values to our own resources. We see glimpses of this potential in the rise of branded Sobolo and the creative use of gluten-free plantain flour in modern baking of flour-based dishes such as bread, cakes, biscuits and others. This is the path forward. We must elevate our local dishes, making them as accessible, affordable, presentable and trendy as any foreign alternative.
To the hospitality industry: Innovate or stagnate
Our hotels and high-end restaurants must lead the charge. They must stop relegating local dishes to the “traditional corner” of the buffet, and apply the same culinary finesse given to imported dishes to our Fante Fante, apapransa, aborbi tadi, fetritoto, akple, abolo, yakayeke, fufu, ampesi, kokonte, wasawasa, tubani, apapransa, mpotompoto, kelewele, aliha, brukutu, pito, and other local dishes. The industry must enhance customer experiences making eating local dishes the ultimate luxury experience for both tourists and residents alike. We must elevate the presentation of our foods by using modern plating techniques to show that a bowl of light soup can be as visually stunning as a French consommé. We need to reclaim our Ghanaian plate before it is too late.
To the policy makers: Let us encourage buying of local ingredients to promote the local food industry and economy. There should be educational programmes and talks about the nutritional and cultural benefits of local foods so that people understand their value.
We need to encourage serving traditional dishes at school programmes, parties, and celebrations instead of only fast foods,
To the Youth: Let us value and appreciate our traditional dishes instead of always choosing foreign foods. There must be balance in our choice of local and foreign dishes. Confidence in our culture encourages others to respect it too. Our local dishes can also be promoted by sharing pictures, recipes, and videos on platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp to make them attractive and trendy.
Young citizens must learn from their parents and elders how to prepare local meals to keep the knowledge and cultural relevance alive. Local dishes can be modernised to appeal to younger generations and tourists.
Conclusion
We cannot afford to trade our heritage for foreign cuisines which are gaining grounds across the country at an alarming rate. We must disabuse our minds of the perception that anything foreign or imported is better than those locally made. Our health, economy, and identity are tied to the soil. It is time to stop apologising for our local flavours and start celebrating them. It is possible to embrace modernity without losing ourselves and our cultural identity. Let us make the Ghanaian kitchen the heart of our modern identity once again.
By: Marilyn Gadogbe
