Time, as we all know, is a precious and non-renewable resource. In the journey of national development, discipline in the management of time is as critical as discipline in leadership, governance, and security. As Ghana continues its reset agenda under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, it is imperative that we do not overlook one of the most pervasive challenges confronting our society: our disregard for time.
It is once again my privilege and responsibility to address a critical issue that affects every facet of our national life, from our economy to our cultural identity, and even our military effectiveness. In this article, I focus on what has commonly come to be known as “Ghana Time” or more broadly “African Time”, a phenomenon that represents a troubling norm in our collective attitude towards punctuality.
Growing up in Ghana, I often heard about different “types” of time: African time, military time, and Western time. While military time is rooted in precision and discipline, and Western time in efficiency and productivity, African time has unfortunately become synonymous with lateness, delay, and poor time management.
In many cases, an event advertised to start at 9:00 AM begins at 10:30 or even as late as noon. This culture has crept into all areas of our society, social functions, religious gatherings, official state programs, and even military ceremonies. Churches scheduled to begin services at 9:00 AM often end well after 1:00 PM, yet this is accepted without protest.
This casual approach to time has grown worse over the years, embedding itself in our collective mindset as “normal.” What’s more alarming is that even institutions that were once strict on timing, including sections of our military, are now showing signs of compromise.
The consequences of this cultural norm are not just social, they are economic and developmental. Time is money. Every minute wasted is a resource lost. Late starts to events and inefficient scheduling cost businesses millions of cedis in lost productivity. More broadly, they affect the national output and reduce the competitiveness of our economy.
Ghana and Africa at large loses thousands of productive hours annually due to late commencements of weddings, engagements, funerals, birthday celebrations, church services, and national events. This persistent lack of discipline in time management directly undermines our aspirations for economic transformation and social progress.
When we compare ourselves to Western and European societies, their strict adherence to time is often cited as one of the foundational pillars of their progress. If we are serious about matching their level of development, we must also be serious about matching their respect for time.
As Ghana embraces a national reset agenda, it is essential that we reset not just our policies but our behaviors, values, and attitudes starting with time consciousness. Without this reset, our ambitions will remain out of reach, no matter how well intentioned or well funded our policies are.
One of the few silver linings during the COVID-19 pandemic was the sudden enforcement of time in all events. Churches started and ended services within one or two hours. Public and private functions operated with strict adherence to timelines. This shows us that the problem is not our inability, it is our unwillingness. We have proven that with proper structure and enforcement, we can respect time.
To sustain this cultural shift, I propose the following:
Establish Time Compliance Task Forces: Every municipal or district assembly and institution, including churches, mosques, schools, and civil organisations, should establish a task force responsible for monitoring and enforcing start times of events.
Set Consequences for Non-Compliance: Event organisers, including MCs and moderators, must be held accountable for deviations from scheduled start times, with penalties or disincentives for repeated delays.
There must be sustained national sensitization on the economic and social importance of punctuality. Time discipline should be taught in schools and reinforced in workplaces.
Government ministries and agencies should integrate time performance metrics into public sector evaluations. Punctuality should be a key performance indicator for state and corporate leaders alike.
In conclusion, Punctuality is more than a habit. It is a reflection of national character. The time has come for us to reject “African time” and embrace a new identity, an identity grounded in discipline, efficiency, and respect. The road to national transformation begins with simple but profound changes. And respecting time is one of them.
Let us all be part of this reset. Let Ghana rise to a new dawn of timeliness, and let the world see in us a people ready for real development.
By: Joseph Armstrong Gold-Alorgbey, President, Ghana Defence Corps/ Broadcast Journalist with Media General
