Even though I am slowly building a small network of friends here, I am still keeping the numbers pretty light. The reason being is that I am a people pleaser. When anyone asks me to help them out, even when my head is screaming out no, my mouth says yes and I then practically give myself a hernia to make sure that I keep my promise. However, not everyone is so forthcoming with reciprocation. A lot of my so-called friends have been the type that only remembers my number when they need something and fake niceties when we see each other at a function. They wouldn’t even piss on me if I caught on fire but they would surely screw me over if it meant a quick buck. I can’t blame them, its human nature, I do it because I want to, and so it is their right to say no or let me down. It is still disappointing though, so I streamlined my “friends” to just a handful. The rest, I do what I can when and can and if I want to, I am always cordial, but they shouldn’t expect a call from me anytime soon.
I do and will always have time for one of my biggest critics, who happen to be my biggest “efiasworld” fans and my best friend. I get a lot of comments on here, both positive and negative (and somewhere in between) and while I am grateful for your comments, I would only take down a post if she were to tell me that I had gone too far (which she hasn’t so far). The reason being, she knows me, we have been through a lot and she is one of the reasons why I started this blog. In my blog “Keeping it Real” I referred to a comment I was given by one of my friends. She was coming from a good place when she criticised one of my blogs, but I will not tell the truth just because a few ignorant people with a complex have a problem with what I have to say.
But I digress, after reading the review on an African City, my beautiful friend literally gave me her feedback. We live out in different time zones now (5 – 6 hour difference) and so we don’t get to talk as much as I would like, but she is probably one of the only people I would forfeit sleep for.
Here is her contribution to an African City, she got in points that I missed out and which is why I have added this addendum to the review:
1. Too short! Just as you’re getting into the flow of things, that’s the end. I know they’re probably going for some “vignette” type style but for me it’s too short to be meaningful or truly enjoyable
2. The series does get top marks for the cinematography and casting, the ladies are stuning. It is a looooong way from Nollywood and I love the style and quality of the show. Trust Ghanaians to get it right 😉
3. However, I came away with the concern that they just scratch the surface of some truly interesting and serious topics…. I could have done without a whole episode centred around a dildo
4. Also no real background to the characters….What lead to where they are now
She also led me to a review by a prominent Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi, if you are interested the website is http://www.ameyawdebrah.com/leila-djansi-reviews-hit-ghanaian-web-series-african-city/
She brought out some really great points and for those of you who have watched the series, you may be in agreement.
If I start with the issue on the dildo as my friend mentioned above. There is a real issue with customs in this country, yet the storyline although trying to be light hearted made it into a mockery. The writer also talks about the different styles of cinematography around the world, and well as I mentioned in my last blog it was a direct copy of Sex and the City.
The point being, we can talk about women’s liberation, and we are free to think like a man and sleep with whomever we want and how frequently we want, but we as a society are not there yet. We as women in this society are not there yet. While a few of us are managing to slip through, we have not yet cracked that elusive glass ceiling, so it would be nice to show the struggles and the successes in Ghana. It would also be a great forum for us returnees to see how life really is for us as opposed to the expats. While I am not saying I don’t go sit by the pool at Golden Tulip listening to the live band on occasion, my daddy is not a Minister and I didn’t come here equipped with a car and an endless amount of cash so I cannot.
Yes it is supposed to be entertainment, but this is a country who emulate what they see on TV and we are showing the average female moving into adulthood that, having lots of sex with powerful men is the way to get ahead, it was probably not the intention but that’s just how they are going to see it.
I could go on, and on, but if you get the time, please read the review for yourselves, it has a lot of content which you may find interesting.
It would also be interesting to know why seemingly successful women abroad came to Ghana, it’s the first question people ask a “foreigner” when they come back to settle in Ghana. I would especially like to know why my friend the Lawyer came down when she cannot find a job.
An African City has a real potential to explode into something big. They are beautiful women trying to make it in this society but the substance needs to match the style.
Oh and getting a Loan from Ghana Home Loans or any other bank is really not easy at all….
efiasworld 
Ever since I saw the “webisode” An African City, I always thought of what your impression would be. As a long time reader of your blogs I felt you stories would make for fine materials and that you would find similarities to your experience.
Many have criticized certain aspects of the series;
1. Not being an accurate depiction of life in Ghana
2. Doesn’t promote moral values ( indulgence of sex for money, women without careers etc)
3. And the simpler one like failure to develop characters, mimics of sex and the city and length of the webisodes.
To each his own, that said all this criticism harkens on the “too Known” complex. On time, has anyone considered how much it costs and who is paying for production. On the plot, is it not clear that the show is designed for a certain class of people( the hotels, the condo’s cars, etc). With many having said that such life is unrealistic, I beg to differ having grown up in Ghana. Granted I am fully aware that when I make it back, such lifestyle would exist beyond my means and probably desire.
Lastly, I just wanted to add that art is art because of the perspective. If we based everything as exactly what it was without embellishments, it wouldn’t sell. Leisla Djansi as a movie producer and critique is totally wrong on many levels. I like her are a producer, her movies are generally in line with a perspective of the European looking into Ghanaian culture. Do I agree with her message probably not, but with good production and a coherent plot, I’ll take with me what I like and leave behind what I don’t. That said she needs to understand that every producer has a goal and to which he works.
Ghana’s population at indepence ~6million today, ~25 million. Go to the villages and see how many people sleep around, especially women. Sex is universal the fundamental reason we exits and its time that became less of the topic.
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Thanks for the comment…I knew if anyone was going to disagree with me it would be you….lol….you have a point. ..but as an avid viewer of soap opera’s and tv in general. There is always a message. Here. If I was watching this straight after eastenders or the bold and the beautiful, it would be a wonderful piece of entertainment, but judging from the girls I have seen at legon campus. They will copy what they see. But everybody and their view and what they get from watching it. At the end of the day, I and my friends have watched every episode and whether you love it or hate it. You can’t help but watch it. What I do love about what you have written is that when you watched, you thought of me. What can I say but thanks for thinking of me…lol….that book deal and interview with Oprah is sooner than I am thinking x
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After reading your comment a second time. While I don’t totally agree with you (something about me trying to make this side of the world better than it is)…when yoi read my blog we all go a little crazy sometimes. …there are at least 2 ladies who had unprotected sex with a guy who had no intention of making it more than a casual relationship. I still feel that an African City should have more substance over style. But I thank you for always challenging me and always seeing the oher side of the coin so to speak
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