A recent article published online in the Daily Telegraph news portal on November 2, 2025, by one Mat Whatley, and the comments it generated from the British people are quite revealing.
The article itself has started generating heat in Ghana as it sought to lash out at the current government for allegedly turning its back on the values Western countries hold so dear, namely democracy, liberty and the rule of law.
Though Whatley’s article, titled “Why is British Funding Ghana’s Leftist Russia-sympathising government?” sought to paint the government in a negative light.
The comments that it generated from the British people are very revealing.
It tells how the ordinary British person sees a Ghanaian and, to a large extent, an African. Of all the comments it generated, 100 per cent of the people support the contents of the article.
Comments
One comment runs, “Look carefully at all the African countries that were well run when part of the British Empire.
Try to find even one that could now be considered well run (that is, operate as a genuine democracy, no corruption, populations properly housed and fed in a safe environment), having been granted independence.
You will die trying,” Martin Benson said.
Another comment, “Because the population largely belongs to a victim group, which allegedly suffered from structural racism in Western nations and has suffered from historic slavery and colonial militarism at British hands, they have been independent for 70 years but have not made much progress as hoped, having been ruled by corrupt despots who made poor economic policies.
But that is Africa for you,” – James Tannock.
On the substantive issue in the article, why Britain is providing funds as aid for Ghana, one Mary Reed made that comment, “Perhaps they just want to bankrupt this nation (Britain) and literally bring it to its knees.”
That was followed by David Hussel, that “the British government wastes money, our money, as if it were water.
No clear returns to the country.” And to Artful Dodger, “Let them (Ghanaians) go bankrupt and starve”.
These selected comments summarise the 59 comments made on Whatley’s article in the Daily Telegraph.
A hundred per cent of all the British commentators online supported the issues raised by Whatley.
Ghanaians may likely fume and throw tantrums in reaction to the article and, mostly, some of the comments it generated, but it is better to take consolation from an admonition given by the late Daddy Lumba in one of the lines of his song, Yedi wo sri kwa, yen pe wo.
To wit, they are laughing and smiling at you for nothing; they don’t like you.
Institute of Current Affairs and Diplomacy (ICAD).
Lawmat2014@gmail.com
