My experience of the loveliest day of the year
Valentine’s Day started as a way of commemorating the anniversary of Saint Valentine’s death after he was martyred for defying the orders of Roman Emperor Claudius II during the third century. This emperor had outlawed marriage for young men after he realized that they made better soldiers than married men. Valentine, who was then a priest of the Catholic Church, continued to secretly perform marriages for young lovers because he felt the law was unfair. After he was caught, the emperor ordered that Valentine be put to death.
The meaning of Valentine’s Day has evolved over time, but February is still celebrated as a month of love. Countries across the globe have different ways of celebrating Valentine’s Day. As someone from Ghana I wanted to share the differences I have noticed between how Valentine’s Day is celebrated in Canada and in Ghana.
Valentine’s Day in Canada
Valentine’s Day in Canada is not a civic holiday. Despite work, many couples exchange gifts, such as flowers, chocolates, and lingerie, along with dining out. On a day like this, getting a restaurant reservation or tickets to the theatre can be very difficult. Valentine’s Day in Canada also sees many marriage proposals. Young children are also not left out of the celebrations surrounding this day as they exchange cards and candy with their classmates and friends or have a class party.
Valentine’s Day in Ghana
Valentine’s Day celebrations were not popular in Ghana 20 years ago. They became popular at the turn of the new millennium mainly due to globalization. Ghanaians got to know more about the happenings in other parts of the world, specifically the western world. Ghanaians therefore started to buy flowers and chocolates for their loved ones along with wearing red outfits.
In Ghana, the youth enjoy Valentine’s Day by attending parties and clubs with the opposite sex. Family and loved ones also spend time together and sometimes go the extra mile of exchanging gifts.
As Valentine’s Day has been embraced by the majority of Ghanaians, the Government of Ghana commercialized this day. In 2007, the government made Valentine’s Day a national chocolate day to promote the patronage of chocolates made in Ghana, which is a means of generating revenue for the cocoa industry.
Although Valentine’s Day is embraced by most Ghanaians, it is striking to know that a lot of churches frown upon this day. This is because they believe that Valentine’s Day violates the doctrine of the Bible which prohibits sex before marriage.
These are just a few ways that Valentine’s Day in Ghana and Canada compare based on my perspective. If you think of any others please let me know of them in the comments section.
Photos provided by Matilda Ofori