After I read a publication by Dailyguide Ghana which was republished by PeaceFm captioned Mcdonalds Arrives In Ghana, I did a little write up here and asked readers what they think about the coming of McDonalds to Ghana.
The person who is supposed to be bringing McDonalds to Ghana or to be McDonalds’ partner in Ghana is furious about DailyGuide and Peacefm’s publication so decided to write me to clarify certain issues.
Below is his email and hope it reaches the concern individuals. The Email is from Seth-El, an entrepreneur who is working and in talks with one Mr Candy in USA to bring McDonalds to Ghana.
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Hi Chris,
A grave injustice has been committed by journalist, Felix Klutse at DAILY GUIDE. He wrote an article about McDonald’s that hit Peace FM two days ago and spread across Ghana.
He never interviewed me, and didn’t ask my permission. The article is outlandish, exaggerated and handled unprofessionally. I only asked Felix if bringing McDonald’s to Ghana would be a good idea. In turn, he selfishly wrote that article.
If possible, please share this email and (my email to Felix below) with other Media brothers and sisters in Ghana.
I had to answer to Mr. Canady inChicago last night who was very upset by the article. This could potentially ruin our relationship. The talks are too early to mean much, considering there’s still a long, formal process that any potential franchisee must endure to successfully open McDonald’s anywhere.
I’ve seen your readers’ comments—some for and some against McD’s in Ghana. I can assure you that my interest in connecting African-American McDonald’s operators with qualified Ghanaian entrepreneurs is well-intentioned.
Besides this, I am already developing a football drama series called ABSOLUTE KINGS that’s hopeful for VIASAT1 next fall. Ghana deserves the best in business, TV, film, etc.
All my best,
Seth-El
I think that its a bad idea to bring Mcdonalds to Ghana because that means we are trying to be like the americans instead of being our own unique selfs.And the fact that Mcdonalds foods are filled with fatten things and they are bad for you. And i think that ghanaian people should deny this propsule.Because if we don’t want our kids to be fat like the kids in America, then we should put the idea of building a Mcdonalds down.
@JayLyn,
What is fufu, rice, yam, potatoes, banku, platains, cocoyam, etc filled with? The same exact thing you said FAT, FAT, FAT. Stop your ignorance. Moderation is the key.
@MEE,
at mee i agree with u
ghanaians can be so ignorant sometyms it hurts
we talk as if we eat da healthiest meals
when in fact our meals are really unhealthy,complex and oily
the main reason our ancestors used to live long is because they used to live very active and physical lives and they made good use of the herbs we had
macdonalds is indeed fatty just the same way papaye,frankies n on the run are
if u eat in moderation n live ryt u wont be obese
now tell me macdonald is in saudi arabia,china,south africa etc have u heard them complain about an obesity pandemic in their country.
Americans are obese not solely because of macdonalds but because of their own ways
Ghanaians like driving away good business oportunities,no country can solely depend on its own without some form of bilateralism or multilateralism be it economic or political
we need foreign investors just as much as we need local ones
Jalyn, thank you for your comment.Chris Vincent Agyapong Febiri, please I hope you have had the time to read my comments and that of those in support?Please, NO MCDONALDS IN GHANA.Fufu might contain some fat but yet still that cassava is fresh from the farm.
@ Adjoa…i totally agree with you.I don’t like their food.The only thing i buy at McDonalds is their ice tea.I like to cook my own food,and i’m not a restaurant person.!!!
I guess I am kind of slow today because I don’t understand why El-Seth is upset, I guess I don’t know anything about business. Is he upset because the deal was not set stoned yet and Felix went out to make it public when there is a chance the deal wouldn’t go through? I guess I am understanding his anger a little bit because this is business and logistics have to be in place before announcing it to the public.
On behalf of peacefm, and ghanaians, Mr. El-Seth,please accept our sincere apologies. I bet felix didn’t think it was a big deal, but this shows how unprofessional he is…I really do hope this business get on it’s way because it wouldn’t only put money in your pocket 😆 but it will help some of the unemployed citizens in ghana, and the economy as well, as well as our tourism. Overall, it will be a good idea. For those that say it’s unhealthy needs to educate themselves. Everything we eat can be unhealthy for us if we eat it in large quantities…..ok ok ok, except for vegetables 😳 😆 , you can never eat too much. Apart from that everything we eat can be bad. So the important thing is MODERATION AND BALANCE PLUS EXERCISE, AND LOTS OF WATER. But if you are not able to get this business going, it’s also okay. Don’t be too upset. This is ghana for you 😆 😯 😆 😳 😆
@MEE, How much money is YOUR PEOPLE’s life worth? I always say, “Whites need not oppress us, we do it gladly for them out of ignorance!”. How dare you compare Fufu and Yam’s to Artificially mixed chemicals? It’s called ‘Fast Food’ for a reason ’cause they cannot call it ‘Food’ due to legal terms. Same way ‘KFC’ cannot no longer call themselves ‘Kentucky Fried Chicken’. I pity your ignorance on this subject and your nerve to speak with authority about something you know nothing of. I ask you again, HOW MUCH IS YOUR FUTURE GENERATIONS LIVE’S WORTH TO YOU?. McDicks, Burger King, KFC, etc. etc. are starting to target Africa ’cause the rest of the world has awaken to their fuckery.
But leave it to African’s to die out of ignorance. The same way they pump bleaching creams that are banned everywhere else in the world into our continent, the same way we will ignorantly welcome poison. As far as ‘moderation been key’, how do you feel about mixing some nkura aduro or some DDT with your food once in a while in the name of moderation? Like I said, it’s better to keep your mouth shut and be considered an idiot, than to open your mouth and speak on what you know not of and be corrected. Some of us have play with this Global Neocons and know their ways. They don’t care about you.
So you are smart guy not so.? So you all the people in America eat Micky Dees right?
There are too many slim folks in Ghana who need to put on weight and Dees will do then good. This a matter of choice, you have an option to choose whatever you want to eat. Go to India, and you’ll find out the monkey brain is their delicacy, Asians drink the blood of serpents and nobody is complaning. It’s a free world , if you don’t like don’t buy and that’s as simple as that. Grow up and be open minded stop citicizing everything.
@Apioso, Well I can’t pretend to be an expert on the subject or that i’ve never eaten the stuff before (pref home cooked food) but all you have just said doesn’t follow what That Guy is saying. The food that you say is eaten in other countries come from Animals…not man made chemicals that are dangerous and unnatural Also Indians are eating this food in THEIR country they are not trying to take it to other countries and inflict whatever assult or injury it may cause on other people…you are right about choice but It is not a choice if the people ‘choosing’ to eat the fast food are not given the full extent of what is in the food. I’m sure if people knew what really was in the food or what the chemicals do to people eating it long term less people would eat it. One thing I agree with from That Guy is that other countries are much more aware of the crap that they sell. Im sure most ppl watched that movie ‘supersize me’. Yes it was extreme but he obviously had a point to prove and he proved it because McDonalds responded by introducing salads onto the menu in an attempt to appear more nutritional which to me is an admission on their part that something is up with the ‘food’ they serve. Go figure but hey no skin of my nose if ppl egnore free advise and continue to poison themselves at lease some will read and know better! lol Thanks @That Guy!
@That Guy,
Hahahahah….I can’t believe this guy who calls himself “that guy”. I am laughing soooo hard right now because some people think there are soo smart, and when they open their mouth to talk, only garbage comes out. And you dare call me an idiot. I wouldn’t argue with you because there is a saying I keep close to my heart, it says, “Never argue with a fool, people might not know the difference”. So you win my friend.
I have one assignment for you though, go back and research on foods like fufu, yam, white rice, yams, cocoyam, banku, etc. Please come back and tell all of us the types of nutrients you get from eating white rice(I will give you a hint, there is not much so it shouldn’t be hard to come up with them). And tell us how many africans eat it daily.
mickey dee aint no gud dats why americans r fat..we appreciate our food in ghana we dont need any other fat fastffood joint no more…our fatty restaurants r enough,….do sumthg abt dis..No mcDonalds in Ghana..
Cici, thanks for your comment.Like to read such comments.No Mcdonalds in Ghana, thats it.
BE OPEN MINDED GUYZ AND TRY OTHER TYPES OF FOOD ARENT YOU TIRED OF UR FUFU AND ALL OTHER SORTS!!
Ya’ll need to watch “Food Inc”. Mickey Dee’s is poison beyond poison! Fufu, yam, etc. etc doesn’t stay in the same condition in a jar after 2-3months! Mickey Dee’s fries does. ME, stop your ignorance and keep your mouth shut when you’re not well informed on the subject at hand. It’s not required of you to comment on EVERY topic. Do you know what goes into creating that ‘McNugget’ that you probably so love? McDonalds IS NOT FOOD. It’s intentionally created poison! You tell me what other food can make a 9yr old grow full size adult titties and I’ll tell you it’s not fufu. Because it’s sold at every corner of the globe doesn’t mean it’s good. Only if people know what’s use to make the food they even buy from grocery stores. You’ve got beef/fish/spaghetti meat been treated with Carbon Monoxide (Yes, the same poisonous gas that kills you when it leaks into your household). It’s use to treat food to allow it to stay fresh on the shelf’s for 2-3weeks without rotting. And we buy it and eat it! You got ALMOST, and I mean, ALMOST, most ready to eat-off-the-shelf foods been made with corn and assortment of chemical’s and calling it different names. ME and the rest, PLEASE, research before you take matter’s as serious as so lightly. The long term effects that these foods have on your body, I won’t even get into. Stop eating carefully mixed chemicals that are been paraded as ‘fast food’. Enough!
PS: You do know McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. etc. are NOT in the food business? They’re Real-Estate companies. They make they’re money from building that nice looking spot and have almost, nothing to do with the food. The food and supplies is handle by another corporate arm owned by other entities. Research research research. You may like the food, but do not advocate it on behalf of ALL GHANAIANS. We as AFRICANS need to educate ourselves and protect our folks when Monsanto and McDonalds and these corporate thugsters are moving in to make their money out of the poor.
A small snippet of Food Inc. can be seen here on the PBS Website, interviewing the maker’s of the film:
http://video.pbs.org/video/1143263943/
This Seth-El guy, assuming he know’s what he’s bringing to the motherland needs to be castrated. lol.
@That Guy,
Well said my brother, I made a short and sensible comment on this issue yesterday & MEE called it ignorant. Its so sad when we stoop so low to name calling when the future of our kids and family back home is at stake here. To all those who say McDee is good for our economy, please take a step back & think seriously about it.
Yes it will create jobs and make some rich folks richer, but at what cost? As many of you have rightly noted, there is more than enough heart desease, diabetes etc from our poor eating habits & not enough medical care & technology to cope with it. So why should we make this situation worse by importing more junk food to add to our problems. I hope MEE will take a moment to reflect on this issue.
I also hope some one can explain to me why most Upscale Neighborhoods here in the US have no fast food places.
To Seth-El, please do not let corporate greed lead you into bringing something that will change the our life styles for the worse all in the name of economic development. You can look for something healthier.
Again for all who care, click on the link below to watch “Supersize Me” the documentary that shook Mcdonalds to the core, they to sued the film makers & lost.
http://www.hulu.com/watch/63283/super-size-me
That Guy, please i need to contact you, I need to read your comments everyday.This is what i want to read.Tell them how Mcdonalds is made so they can stop writing some comments.Thank you sweethrt for your comment once again.
@That Guy,
Only a fool will eat Micky Dee’s everyday. SO from what you are saying I bet you don’t eat ice creams, donuts, breads, cheese, smoothies, candies, cookies, etc? You eat only vegetable right, because that is the only thing that really good for our body, even that it is not recommended to eat only veggies because you wouldn’t get all the nutrients your body needs. Micky Dee is bad just like the fried yams, fried fish, fried rice, fried everything we eat because do you know what the oil turns to in our body? I know what you are saying about the “chemicals” because they can become toxic to our body, just like the meat, vegetables people sell at the market in the hot sun for hours without refrigeration, and re-sell them the next day again in the hot sun outside. Don’t you think toxins get on them, with cars driving by, trash on the floor, etc.? If you don’t know what I am talking about just go to Kaneshie market and you will see what I am talking about.
I AM NOT SAYING MCDONALDS IS HEALTHY. THAT IS FAR FROM WHAT I AM SAYING. HOWEVER I AM SAYING THAT ONCE AWHILE IT IS OK TO INDULGE. DIABETES, HEART ATTACK, OBESITY DOES NOT ONLY HAPPEN TO PEOPLE THAT EAT MCDONALDS, IT CAN HAPPEN TO PEOPLE THAT ARE UNEDUCATED THAT DON’T TAKE CARE OF THEIR BODY. THE REASON A LOT OF AMERICANS ARE FAT IS BECAUSE THEY EAT LOTS OF “FAST FOOD” ALMOST EVERYDAY. HOWEVER, MIND YOU PAPAYE, FRANKIES, PALOMA, DINESTY ETC.,HAVE ALL BEEN IN GHANA FOR YEARS BUT YOU DON’T SEE PEOPLE OBESE LIKE IN AMERICA. GHANAIANS EXERCISE EVEN IF THEY DON’T KNOW THEY ARE DOING IT. HOW MANY OF US REMEMBER WALKING MILES I MEAN MILES TO CATCH THE TRO-TRO(BUS). SO PEOPLE BURN CALORIES WITHOUT KNOWING IT. IN ALOT WESTERN COUNTRIES, EVEN 16 YEAR OLD CHILDREN HAVE CARS, SO WHEN YOU EAT ALL THAT BAD FOOD AND DON’T EXERCISE, YOU WILL BECOME OBESE. ALSO HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL REALLY DRIVE TO SPINTEX OR OSU, OR THE AIRPORT JUST TO GO AND GET MCDONALD EVERYDAY? NOT EVERYBODY LIVES AROUND THOSE AREAS OR HAVE A CAR TO GET THERE JUST FOR “CHEESEBURGER”.
Okay now I don’t understand why Seth El or whoever is upset because here’s the thing, if you’re not so intelligent at least you can figure out it’s not a good idea to tell a publisher something if you want to keep it private.
And to all the ones saying McDonalds is going to make people in Ghana fat, SHUT THE HELL UP sorry but some of y’all needed that. Anyway, Diversity is always a good idea. culture, culture culture- the same reason most African nations are nowhere Yes you need to remember your culture but let’s do something different. It’s called civilization. Think of it this way, everyone is responsible for themselves, you eat too much, you become fat, deal with it. This is a once in a while thing. not McDonalds 24/7. Plus it may be affordable here in America, but not affordable in Ghana so you may want it, but you won’t get it. Recession.
Saa? Did you read Chris’s intro? “He never interviewed me, and didn’t ask my permission. The article is outlandish, exaggerated and handled unprofessionally. I only asked Felix if bringing McDonald’s to Ghana would be a good idea. In turn, he selfishly wrote that article.”
Be well.
I dont get all these ignorant people, in a country like UK where most ghanaians rush to, you find a lot of chinesse resturants, india resturants, thai food and even ghanaian resurants. YOU HAVE A CHOCIE. No one is forcing you to eat mcdonalds pls. If you dont want you dont buy. The fact that there are all these resturants there does not mean people have to eat it . Besides there are are other options on the menu u can go for. Again that is your chice . That is why its a menu. I eat macdonalds but honestly i dont like their burger and chips i always go for their Wrap which is 100% healthier than all the other fast food in the Uk . completely heathy. No fats so i repeat .YOU HAVE A CHOICE
i dont get what “seth el” is on about. anyone with the resources and status can get a macky d’s franchise at 30,000 pounds, plus other associated costs. if the peacefm bloke got wind of the proposed franchise and wrote on the possible good and bads of maky d’s, whats the fuss. even the likes of anglogold, bp or our own kosmos have their own critics, and very rightly so. maky d’s is not prone from these criticisms, so take it up the chin.
in a country where MOST people see putting on weight as “good living”, i think its only the small minority that worries about putting on weight. FACT is, in ghana, if you eat all the turkey tail, kyinkyinga or the yet-to-come maky d’s and get obese, you are left with it. in the western world, its the responsibility of the state, to either pay for your medication, therapy, food, even a bigger door if you outgrow your door and everything associated for being obese. surely this is a massive chunk of government funds.
in the uk or america a new branch of the golden arches maybe a higher state health bill, but for ghana its ALL GOOD NEWS……. job creation. thats all it is.
McDonalds goes to where there is the potential for big market. Ghanaians have a flair for western culture.. so people will buy. On the other hand McDonalds is not good for your health… I can attest to that.hehehe
shiee somebody drop my comment kraa. What!?
ok so some Ghanaians think its a good thing for McDonalds to come to Ghana. yes it might provide some jobs and help put us on the world market as another country with Mickey D’s. anyway have we done the research to see the effects fast food joints are having on the American society… for one they have the technology to help overweight and obese people take off the weight they put on we dont. tell me of how many fully equipped gyms wee have in ghana to take on this task… i’m just gonna advise those in power to say no to this proposal… Over here Americans are trying to get all these fast food joints sanctioned because its killing the society and because they (the food companies) know they will loose at some point they are looking for other ways to get the money (Africa to be EXACT) u might think its a good thing but if u really think it’s just like the slave trade (the white man isn’t stupid he does what ever he can to get to where he wants to go) Imagine kids at the age of 15 weighing more than 250 pounds (113.6kg) more than the weight of an economy rice bag….
ALL I WANT TO SAY IS GHANAIANS PLEASE THINK OF ALL THIS BEFORE A CURSE IS PUT ON OUR BELOVED COUNTRY…. UN EXPECTANCY LIFE RATE FRO OUR COUNTRY IS ALREADY LOW WE CANNOT BURDEN OURSELVES WITH THE PRESSURE OF GOING LOWER BECAUSE OF DIABETES, HEART ATTACKS AND HYPERTENSION…. WE JUST CANT EVEN THOUGH THE IDEA OF A MC DONALD’S IN GHANA SOUNDS GREAT I REALLY DO NOT THINK AS A COUNTRY WE ARE READY FOR THE CONSEQUENCES IT WILL BRING
The ignorance on this thread is just mind-boggling. This is basic economics. Production is largely dependent on Capital available. Investment will help increase the flow of capital in the Ghanaian economy, ultimately fuelling growth. Talk-less of the countless jobs this is going to create.
All those talking about fufu, banku and how unhealthy MacDonald are should close their gob. You have no right to decide what people should or shouldn’t eat.
Think outside the box!
@Joseph Midnight,Well you have a good point. Thinking “outside the box” mainly entails totally disregarding the implications on the health of the citizenry. You don’t think that should be remotely considered.
@ghallday,
Sarcasm well noted.
– We should also stop importing kitchen knives because they are also used to commit murder.
– We should stop importing syringes because drug pushers use it to inject heroin.
– We should also stop importing mini skirts to help minimize rape.
– We should stop taking AIDS drugs because of the numerous side effects.
We should remotely consider all these things and ban all the above even if the positive prospects hugely outweigh the potential pitfalls.
Why are so many of us so unwilling to look at things for all perspectives before pronouncing judgement?
Everyone knows fast food is unhealthy and in excessive amounts is connected to issues like obesity and the connecting ailments such as high blood pressure, diabetes etc.
But here is this the issue… things like carbonated drinks(soft drinks and sodas), candy, high in fat desserts, icecream, products high in salt, preservative and artificial flavouring packed snacks, high in saturated fat snacks and other junk food are as equally bad in excessive amounts.
To my knowledge the last time I was in Ghana all the afore mentioned were available to buy right from the local kiosks to the large supermarkets. Seeing that we are as a nation are so health conscious, why have we not as a nation asked for everything unhealthy to be banned?
It is admirable that we want to maintain the health of our nation and its people but seriously let us look at the whole picture of things before casting judgement.
Many have an issue with the fact that Mc Donalds’s may or may not have products that are GM(genetically modified) but sadly this is the case for so many meat, fish, poultry products plus so many food products on our supermarket shelves.
So to make sure that you are not ingesting any of this one would have to grow their own food and farm their own meat, poultry and fish.
So much of what we consume on a day to day basis (particularly in third world countries – of which Ghana is unfortunately a part of) is harmful to us but we go about happy because we have no idea.
I think the solution is not standing against fast food joints in Ghana (am I wrong in saying that we already have the Frankies and Papayes and their menus are far from healthy, they are laden with saturated fats which cause obesity, cancer, heart disease… the works) but rather understanding that choice and moderation is key.
I live in the Western world and although there are fast food joints all around me, I have the power of choice. There are times when I might have a burger or fries. There are times when months go by and i don’t have any fast food. Does that mean I am eating any healthier? Not necessarily because it is common knowledge that the food industries and farmers are struggling to keep up with the food demands of the world and its inhabitants and so everything is getting genetically modified and pumped with so much unhealthy crap that is killing us all.
So the bottom line is the power of choice and moderation. Everyone knows that even the healthiest foods in the world, if eaten excessively will have adverse effects. Fruits, cassava, yam, rice (staple food of so many African countries and so bad for us as it is stripped of anything of benefit), plantain etc are all packed with sugars if eaten excessively and starches that will make you gain weight that then puts you at risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes etc
Personally I do not care if a Mc Donalds comes to Ghana or not but what I do care about is our unwillingness as a people to ever consider things from an objective perspective. We are a nation of incredibly intelligent and talented people but we fail to realise that when we judge or pronounce opinion on matters that we have failed to research and understand, it makes us look ignorant.
Ghanaian food is known to be incredibly unhealthy. All those tubers, starch, saturated fat. Do we still not eat it? Are we all running around obese? Well some are but that is where common sense is key.
Whatever you chose to include in your diet can potentially harm you in the wrong amounts or combinations.
If a Mc Donalds does indeed come to Ghana, lets patronise if we want. That is the power of choice. For those who don’t want it, you are not being forced to eat there.
At the end of the day it is all about choice and moderation.
Let us give people the power of choice and give them a chance to choose if they want to over indulge or not.
Be well.
Marian.
p.s Obesity is not only an issue here in the western world due to fast food, it is the whole nature of life here. Everything is at ones convenience so in general unless a person makes the concerted and considered effort to exercise (and you don’t need access to a gym to do this as any aerobic exercise like jogging, skipping etc will do) particularly if you are eaten excessive (yet again the issue of choice and moderation!) amounts be it fast food or non fast food you will gain weight.
In Ghana we do not live convenience lives where everything is just in arms reach thus we are forced to move more.
So please realise that a lot more than fast food plays a role in obesity in the western world.