/ˈɡɑːnə mʌst ɡoʊ/
Definition:
GHANA-MUST-GO is a popular Nigerian term for a large, durable, and water-resistant plastic woven bag, typically with a zipper on top. These bags come in various sizes and colors, but they are most recognizable by their checkered patterns, usually red, blue, or green with white stripes. The primary purpose of a GHANA-MUST-GO bag is to carry or move personal belongings easily and affordably.
In daily Nigerian life, these bags are used for a wide range of purposes — from students moving into school dormitories to market women transporting goods and families relocating houses. They are highly valued for their strength, lightness, and capacity to hold many items at once without tearing.
Despite their humble and informal image, GHANA-MUST-GO bags represent resilience and practicality. They can be seen at airports, bus stations, and even in homes for storage. In some circles, the term can also symbolically refer to quick and temporary migration or relocation, usually under urgent circumstances.
- Synonyms: “Travel bag”, “Utility bag”, “Checkered bag”
- Antonyms: “Suitcase”, “Designer luggage”, “Briefcase”
Hear how native speakers pronounce GHANA-MUST-GO in the video below.
Usage Examples:
- Informal: “Abeg, help me carry my GHANA-MUST-GO enter the motor.” (Please help me to carry my GHANA-MUST-GO into the vehicle.)
- Formal: “During the relocation exercise, participants packed their belongings in large GHANA-MUST-GO bags.”
- Idiomatic: “When wahala start for house, na so I just pack my things for GHANA-MUST-GO run comot.” (When trouble started in the house, I immediately packed my things into the GHANA-MUST-GO and left.)
Cultural Context:
Origin:
The term “GHANA-MUST-GO” traces its origin back to the early 1980s, during a politically tense period between Nigeria and Ghana. In 1983, the Nigerian government ordered a mass expulsion of illegal immigrants, most of whom were Ghanaians. These immigrants, having to leave the country abruptly, packed their belongings into the now-famous cheap, durable, woven plastic bags. Because of this mass migration, Nigerians began referring to these bags as “GHANA-MUST-GO,” combining the country of origin (Ghana) with the urgency of the situation (“must go”). Over time, the bags themselves became synonymous with quick packing, emergency relocation, and affordable means of transporting goods. The history behind the name carries complex emotions — a blend of hardship, survival, and resourcefulness — still relevant today whenever the bag is mentioned.
Regional Usage:
“GHANA-MUST-GO” is predominantly used in Nigeria and has spread across West Africa due to shared historical and cultural ties. In countries like Ghana, Togo, and the Republic of Benin, the bag is also recognized, though it might be called by different local names.
In Ghana, the name “GHANA-MUST-GO” is known, though it carries a slightly negative historical connotation. In Nigeria, the bag is widely accepted across all ethnic groups and socioeconomic classes. From city centers like Lagos and Abuja to rural villages, everyone knows and uses GHANA-MUST-GO. In broader African diasporic communities, especially among immigrants in Europe and America, the bags have also become a cultural symbol — sometimes seen humorously but also as an emblem of home and identity. The usage extends beyond personal travel. In markets, airports, and even during weddings and funerals, you are likely to see a GHANA-MUST-GO bag being used to move goods, gifts, or personal effects.
Now it’s your turn! Use Ghana-Must-Go to create your own sentences in the comments. You fit say something like:
- “When I dey go school for Abuja, na only GHANA-MUST-GO I carry.”
- “Dem pack all the rice inside GHANA-MUST-GO for the party.”
Drop your sentences below — let’s gist!