Gatekeeping in Ghana - Episode 100
Long post.
I stumbled on two posts in r/TechGhana and another one on r/ghana and they had elements of gatekeeping. Ghanaians have long criticized the gatekeeping culture. But what if it is justified? This is a Devil's Advocate post for gatekeeping (although I acknowledge the reasons provided by people on the other side of the fence).
Firstly, I don't want to hear the, "gatekeeping is not exclusive to Ghanaians; it's worldwide" excuse. Different demographics have certain dominant character traits. So I'm addressing what's largely common and infamous amongst Ghanaians.
So why would anyone gatekeep?
you heed someone's earnest entreatment and commiserate their plight by connecting them with an important figure. You thought you were helping out, only to learn, they exhibited very bad attitude. Now your reputation, relationship with that important figure and even your network amongst the higher echleon are under threat.
you are doing well in an unsaturated market. You support fellow, struggling Ghanaians by sharing trade secrets, only to see your industry get compromised by an influx of unprofessional and unethical individuals. Because of them, newer clients decline to work with you because they presume you all operate alike.
to level up, you needed a partner who had the expertise you lacked. So you found that expert. They were struggling through life. Yet you made a deal with them. However you got sidelined by them after they used you as a stepping stone to get to a point above you.
you provided information, they used it to gain success, but they refused to give you credit.
after you put them on, they made false accusations which got you blacklisted or fired.
you aided someone, but they gave you attitude when it was time to return the favor. Now you're deemed an enemy.
you pointed them in the right direction but they expect you to spoonfeed them all along.
no matter how honest you were with your secrets/methods, they doubted your success and called you a fraud. Yet they themselves have no idea how to get to where you are.
I could go on and on. But before anyone interprets the intent of this post as a smear against Ghanaians, be sincere, would you gaslight the veracity and validity of the points above? These are based on real-life complaints and experiences.
Is all gatekeeping with evil intent? I have long wondered why gatekeeping isn't as much of a big deal amongst other nationals as it is with Ghanaians. I have been badly affected by the gatekeeping culture here. So I understand the sentiment against gatekeeping.
Howbeit the only Ghanaians who ever helped me were diasporans (not 1st generation) and only ONE local. Not even family, and that's not because I am a terrible person. It mostly took Nigerians, Arabs, Canadians and Indians to find my footing. And I'm not the only individual with this experience. Others I know also got uplifted by foreigners, but sabotaged by Ghanaians.
Now ask yourself, would you also gatekeep if you had same experiences? Ironically, I would too, though I've been affected by it. Why? Because whenever I try to help, I'm reminded why no good deed goes unpunished.