Youth Crime and Deviance

- “Sakawa”: Where Lays the Blame? By Isaac Karikari (bkkarikari@yahoo.com)

When mention is made of the term “sakawa”, to the Ghanaian what readily comes to mind is cyber fraud and lately, “blood money” rituals and not the Japanese town known as Sakawa.

Over the past few weeks the focus of the media has been on the “sakawa” phenomenon. It has dominated discussions on and off radio and also occupied considerable space in various publications.

The term “Sakawa” is a derivative of the Hausa word “sakaawa” which simply means deception. It was “originally” used to describe the activities of cyber fraudsters who engaged in acts such as using the credit card details of foreigners, mostly Americans, to make purchases online. Lately, “sakawa” has assumed a new meaning. Now, it is being used in relation to “blood money” rituals also known as “sikaduro” in Akan.

The general reaction of the public ever since “sakawa” began gaining prominence has been one of great disapproval. Why this disapproval? The answer is quite simple. Cyber fraud is a crime (and thus an act of deviance) in Ghana.

The “blood money” rituals also constitute an act of deviance (an act which though not criminal violates social norms and values). One point worthy of note is that, though all crimes are considered acts of deviance not all acts of deviance constitute criminal behaviour. Thus though it would be easy getting the security agencies involved in combating cyber fraud the same cannot be done with “blood money” rituals until it has been found to involve something criminal.

Among the numerous questions being asked, the main ones have bordered on what has possibly accounted for the high incidence of “sakawa”?

I offer some probable explanations for the incidence of “sakawa”:

In an attempt to meet either society’s expectations of them, or that of their own kith and kin, friends, and even their own expectations of themselves usually in the area of economic independence and fulfilling financial obligations, people resort to a number of means. Not all of these means may be approved by the society anyway. “Sakawa” is a case in point.

Some individuals have ended up in either internet fraud or “blood money” rituals because they sought a means of meeting a certain expectation or attaining a certain goal.

As noted earlier, this expectation or goal may either be from the society, ones family or group of friends or ones own self. The issue of society’s influence and the influence of family and friends cannot be discounted in this regard. Most people have ended up doing “sakawa” and it is just an instance of they bending to what may be considered as the pressure of society, family and friends. For most of the youth involved in “sakawa”-cyber fraud or “blood money rituals”-they have done so at the insistence of friends.

Though direct mention is not being made of it, one thing this “sakawa” phenomenon has brought to light is the existence of subcultures and their impact on the development of the individual. As the name implies, a subculture is more or less a little culture in relation to the larger culture of a society. To break this down or to make the meaning much clearer, a subculture refers to a way of life based on a set of values and ideals much different (sometimes in direct contrast) from what is widely accepted.

In relation to “sakawa”, for the people involved, using such means as fraud and “blood money” rituals often happens to be a status quo so far as the circles to which they belong are concerned. In most youth subcultures such as gangs and cliques performing acts such as these is necessary if one is to be fully accepted or considered a thoroughbred.

Without giving much thought to the complexities involved people are just theorizing, giving all sorts of explanations for this phenomenon. Most of the reasons being given stem from the thought that most of these guys have a quest for ostentatious life styles. Reasons like this may not be altogether wrong but there is so much more than meets the eye.

In the first place why would they dream of ostentation? Is it not probable that it is because that is the picture of success and successful people they have been presented with? Also is it not probable that that is the picture that has been presented to them as the “correct” way of life. Who is to blame for this? Isn’t the media culpable in this case?

For some young people their involvement in this criminal and deviant act stems out of a search for an identity and uniqueness. The “sakawa” feats chalked would earn them the respect and praise of their peers. In their own little world they will be celebrated. We may not care two hoots about them but in their circles this would draw them praise.

The incidence of “Sakawa” also presents a case of some misguided young people who out of naivety and oblivion are wrecking havoc on themselves and society. There are many cases of people who have either died or gone mad because they failed to comply with a certain directive forming part of the “blood money” ritual. With the high incidence of “sakawa” the reputation of the nation is being dented. For transactions over the internet Ghana is being blacklisted. Considering the fact that we are losing the youth to acts such as “sakawa” the future of the nation is being threatened and put in jeopardy. We also risk having a nation where real power would not lie in the hands of the elected government but crime lords.

I see the major problem to be the breaking down of social institutions especially the family. Something has gone awfully wrong with socialisation of young people in the modern Ghanaian society. With the high incidence of marital instability and divorce, the raising up and training of children to ensure that they inculcate and imbibe the right values and morals has been seriously undermined. The family is in the centre of this process of socialisation and its role is very fundamental. The role of social institutions such as churches and schools can even be considered as being auxiliary to the family’s role. Thus with the family in “tatters” the whole process has been thrown out of gear and young people have ended up with very questionable value systems and moral codes. In “sakawa” we have ample evidence of the failure of our social institutions especially the family. Young people have been left all by themselves with no attention and little support. Vulnerable and gullible, they are being be preyed upon by some unscrupulous elements. They need to be rescued.

The manifestation of the “sakawa” phenomenon is a wake up call for us all. We need to act quickly before the situation gets completely out of hand. If it does we would have ourselves to blame.

I conclude with this point, that in order to fully understand this “sakawa” menace, there is the need for us to consider issues from the viewpoint of the principal characters, that is, those involved. Otherwise most of what we say would only be mere speculation with which much can’t be done to address the issue. Thus the actual problem would remain.