By: John S. Morlu II, CPA
In most countries, “being late” is considered rude. In Ghana? It’s culture. It’s heritage. It’s… expected.
🕒 Let’s say an event is scheduled for 10:00 AM. Here’s what that actually means in real life:
- 9:00 AM – You, the naive newcomer, arrive fresh, early, and optimistic. You are alone. Not even the chairs have arrived.
- 10:00 AM – The caterer calls to say they’re “on the way,” which in Ghanaian means: they just woke up.
- 11:00 AM – The sound system is still in someone’s car somewhere in Spintex.
- 12:30 PM – The first guests arrive, not because they’re early, but because they misread the invite.
- 1:00 PM – The host walks in looking shocked like “Oh! You people are here already?”
- 2:00 PM – The party finally begins… with opening prayers and 17 introductions.
Ghana Time isn’t just a delay — it’s a whole personality.
Fun Fact
People in Ghana will say “I’m almost there” even when they’re still ironing their clothes and boiling water for a bath. “I’m five minutes away” means “I just left the house.” “I’m nearby” means “Don’t worry, I’ll be there before sunset — hopefully.”
Even clocks in Ghana are on break. They don’t tick — they vibe.
But Here’s the Twist
If the President is coming? If a white person is attending? Or if jollof is being served? MAGIC. Everyone is suddenly on time. Ghana Time can vanish instantly when it wants to. It’s selective punctuality.
Business Implications
If you’re launching a product:
- Set the launch date.
- Add one week.
- Then add two more.
- Bring snacks — you’ll be waiting.
If you’re attending a meeting: Always bring a backup meeting — just in case the original one is still “in traffic.”
Ghana Time is so powerful that even international guests adjust. Once, an investor flew in from Germany for a 9 AM meeting. He showed up early with notes and a spreadsheet. The team strolled in at 11:17 AM and said: “But the spirit of the meeting was already here.” No stress. No shame. Total vibes.
He never came back. Ghana continued… flawlessly.
Food Time = Elastic Time
When Ghanaians say “we’re cooking,” what they really mean is “we just sent someone to buy tomatoes.”
If lunch is at 2 PM, you’ll eat at 7. And you won’t even be mad, because by 7, a live band is playing, people are dancing, and aunties are handing you free drinks. The delay becomes part of the fun.
Deep Ghanaian Wisdom
“Time na money,” they say. But in Ghana? “Time na feeling.” If it doesn’t feel like the right moment, it’s not time yet.
Moral of the Story
In Ghana, don’t be in a rush. Time is flexible. Schedules are suggestions. Just breathe, relax, and enjoy the ride. If you try to fight Ghana Time — Ghana Time will win.
Spoiler: It involves wheel alignment, spiritual alignment, and realignment of your expectations.
Author: John S. Morlu II, CPA is the CEO and Chief Strategist of JS Morlu, leads a licensed public accounting and management consultancy firm. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in auditing and advisory work, including service as Auditor General of Liberia and FAR and DCAA compliance work at Unisys Federal Systems. The firm’s technology products include AI-powered reconciliation software (ReckSoft.com) and advanced cloud accounting solutions (FinovatePro.com), built for finance and operations teams.