Ghanaian musician, Wanlov the Kubolor, has presented the perspective that ‘Sakawa boys’, often linked with cybercrime are unrecognized individuals contributing to Ghana’s development.
He asserted that, despite their controversial activities, some of these individuals make meaningful contributions to their families and communities, a claim he contrasts with some politicians.
Wanlov, in an interview with the media acknowledged that Sakawa boys are commonly viewed as criminals.
“For me, the most sensible people in Ghana are the Sakawa boys. They are the only people who are helping Ghana or their family or somebody. Yes, they are seen as criminals but they are taking resources that have been generated in the west and they are using it on themselves, their immediate families and their community,” he said.
However, he highlighted that they acquire resources from the West and reinvest them into their immediate families and communities.
He contends that Sakawa boys, despite their criminal label, might be among the most sensible individuals in Ghana due to their financial contributions locally.
He compares this with politicians who borrow money from international institutions without clear plans for repayment, essentially burdening ordinary Ghanaian citizens.
Wanlov argues that such politicians are effectively stealing from the people of Ghana, as these debts ultimately translate into financial burdens for the citizens.
He further emphasizes that Sakawa boys, on the other hand, are not stealing from anyone in Ghana, but rather utilizing resources obtained from abroad for local benefits.
While this perspective challenges conventional views, it’s essential to consider the broader societal and ethical implications of criminal activities and the context in which such actions occur.
“But what is more criminal than a politician going to IMF to borrow money that they know they will never pay? They don’t have to pay and they will use it for their own personal things that Ghanaians will come and pay for one day. They are not stealing from the west, they are stealing from Ghanaians, because the money that the west will come and take from Ghanaians who owe IMF will be five times more than what these ministers are borrowing.
“So these ministers are stealing from us by borrowing? Who in Ghana are the Sakawa boys stealing from? They’re not stealing from anybody in Ghana. So the real criminals are these politicians,” he argued.