A Congolese view

Jessy Lombale Bare, a 35 year old Congolese, shares his experience in Ghana with us. He is the co-founder of Koinonia Impex, a freight forwarding agency. He also founded Phanerosis Global which is a platform of business integration among Francophone and Anglophone countries. It operates under African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Jessy is from Congo Brazaville.

“I am still single looking for a fresh Ghanaian lady who speaks French(LOL)”. He likes traveling, meeting new people, learning new things that can build him up mentally and spiritually. Jessy enjoys reading about successful stories of self-made men. He loves watching documentaries. – He first came to Ghana to further his tertiary Education in English. The goal was to become bilingual. Having a second international language is always an advantage.

“I chose Ghana because my cousin was studying here at that time”. He gave a good report about Ghana that assured my parents to send me here. Also, Ghana is in West Africa and most West African countries are French speaking. Therefore, Ghana becomes the destination of most Francophones . With time, his preferred Ghanaian food is kenkey with fish or sausage. He also relishes the aroma of waakye with spaghetti and egg or with meat.

Jessy believes Ghana has good infrastructure compared to most Central African countries. “You have better roads than where I come from. You`ve done well so far although others too are coming up with their strategic plans to innovate”. Generally, he has observed that people are not too friendly. “Everybody is after his own pursuit of life”. According to Jessy, although there are a lot of churches everywhere, “people are more religious than spiritual”.

He laments the treatment landlords give to foreigners. “Landlords aren`t patient towards us. As a foreigner, everybody wants to take advantage of you. You only find few genuine people” . Jessy identifies some differences between Congo and Ghana. These are mainly the weather, currency, work ethic and level of hospitality. He finds Ghana to be is very hot as compared to Congo. “We use CFA and here it`s the Ghana cedi which rises up or goes down anytime”. He believes Congolese are more friendly to foreigners than Ghanaians are. “In Congo we’re friendly towards foreigners and welcoming. However, in Ghana, it is about interest and what the person can get from you. “My people are also quite lazy and like too much entertainment. Ghanaians n the other hand are hardworking people business oriented”

Mr. Lombale Bare doesn`t see many similarities between the two countries. Of course, apart from the fact that we are all Africans. He definitely had some cultural shocks. “I was shocked to see someone eating bofrot sandwiched between slices of tea bread”. The rent situation has also been a bother. “Here, rent is not less than a year while in my country it is monthly”. Jessy finds it surprising that “every French teacher in Ghana has been wicked according to their narrative”.

So, adjusting to Ghanaian food and the hot weather have generally been the challenges he faced. “Ghana taught me to love business, to become creative and a self-made man. I also learnt not to trust every man of God. And to becareful with people until I know their motives”. He recommends a visit to Elmina Castle, Kwame Nkrumah Mausoleum and Aburi Botanical Gardens to tourists.

Thank you, Jessy for sharing your views about Ghana. Some of the challenges you face are not different from the experiences of Ghanaians. Yet, I am glad that your experiences have shaped you to become the man that you are and are becoming. Other experiences too are quite different from the norm. Such as the issue of hospitality. It`s great to have your perspectives. Keep enjoying Ghana and we hope you find your wife soon. Another Congolese in-law is very much welcome. 😉