In Ghana, joining a WhatsApp group is easy. Leaving, however, is a different story altogether.
Whether it’s a family group, an old schoolmates’ reunion, or a church platform, one unspoken rule applies: Once you’re in, you’re in for life.
Attempting to exit is a social offence that comes with guilt trips, emotional blackmail, and sometimes even an emergency family meeting.
The Guilt Trip After Leaving
The moment you dare to press “Exit Group”, your phone lights up with messages:
- “Ei, so you’ve left us? What did we do to you?”
- “Ah, you think you are too big for us now?”
- “Hmm… people change when they get small money.”
And before you can explain yourself, an aunty or uncle has already added you back—no permission needed.
The Endless “Good Morning” Messages
Every Ghanaian WhatsApp group operates as if the world will collapse without a daily “Good morning” message.
It doesn’t matter if it’s 5 AM, someone will drop a long motivational quote with flowers, doves, and a glowing Bible.
If you dare ignore these messages for too long, expect a direct call: “Why don’t you respond in the group? You think you’re better than us?” Now, you’re forced to send a reluctant “Good morning, fam” just to maintain peace.
The Forwarded Messages Marathon
Ghanaian WhatsApp groups are a goldmine for recycled conspiracy theories, fake news, and exaggerated health tips:
- “Drink this mixture of garlic, ginger, and lemon every morning or you’ll die young.”
- “WhatsApp will start charging ₵5 per message. Forward this to 10 people to avoid it.”
- “If you ignore this message, bad luck will follow you for seven years.”
The worst part? The same message appears in five different groups, and no one ever verifies the information.
The Drama of Making an Announcement
Trying to make a simple announcement in a Ghanaian WhatsApp group is like walking into a loud market square.
You post your message, but before anyone acknowledges it, a random uncle has already sent a prayer chain, and an aunty has forwarded a two-hour sermon video. Your message gets buried instantly.
Escape is Impossible
No matter how much you complain about these groups, you’ll never truly leave. If you exit, you’ll be dragged back in. If you mute the group, someone will ask why you’re quiet.
The best strategy? Accept your fate, drop the occasional “Good morning”, and scroll past the 500 unread messages like a true survivor.
