One of the great things about Ghanaians besides their warm hospitality, beautiful smiles, and kindness, is their wonderful ways of expressing themselves. Ghanaians express their personalities in their clothing, in their manner of speech, and in many other colorful ways. One of my favorites involves their liberal use of what they refer to as "signboards."
Most businesses here are small, independent "mom and pop" type stands. There are very few chain stores in Ghana, and definitely no Wal-Marts. Most stores specialize in just one product: a butcher stand, a cloth shop, fresh foods, minutes for your cell phone, rebuilt clutches and brake pads, etc… A few are what are known as "cold-stores," which means they offer cold drinks too. One of the ways these merchants express themselves and differentiate their shops from the other stores along the roadside is by coming up with great names for their stores. As you drive around you see great signs and names; ones that make you want to stop in to meet the owner.
The two photos accompanying this post are a couple of my favorites so far, the "Jesus is Alive" tea stand, and the "To Be A Man" clutch and brake lining shop. Many of the signs are religious in nature; others are a bit less reverent. Bob Parker tells of a store he's seen near Accra called the "Don't beat your wife chop-chop shop."
The classic funk/soul single of the seventies urged us to "Express Yourself;" believe me, Ghanaians know how to do that – and they do it right!
Funny!
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