We are poor because we sleep too much – Ofosu-Ampofo
Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, the former Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has made controversial remarks attributing Ghana's poverty to what he perceives as excessive sleep among its citizens. His comments have sparked widespread debate and come at a time when the government is preparing to borrow GH¢4.363 billion in an upcoming auction.
Ofosu-Ampofo argued that countries that allow their citizens to sleep too much tend to struggle with poverty, and he believes Ghana is facing this exact issue. "Ghana is poor because its citizens work eight hours and sleep all night," he stated. According to Ofosu-Ampofo, this work-sleep pattern is insufficient for generating industries and creating employment opportunities.
He drew comparisons between Ghana and other countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, China, and India, suggesting that Africa, in general, is poor because it "sleeps too much." Ofosu-Ampofo's comments highlight his belief that a more industrious and less sleep-oriented culture could potentially alleviate poverty in Ghana.
The timing of his remarks coincides with the government's plan to borrow GH¢4.363 billion, further underscoring the economic challenges facing the nation. As Ghana navigates these financial hurdles, Ofosu-Ampofo's statements add a provocative perspective to the ongoing discourse about the country's economic strategies and cultural practices.
His comments have ignited discussions across various platforms, with some agreeing with his stance on work ethic and others criticizing it as overly simplistic and insensitive to the complexities of poverty and economic development.