LEGON AND THE BORGAR PALAVER- THE RUSH IS ON AS VACATION CLOSES IN.

Burger is a colloquial word meaning Hamburger, a flat patty of ground meat, usually beef that is broiled or fried and served in a bun. This word has been corrupted by Ghanaians both in meaning and spelling, resulting in the birth of the Burger Highlife music genre. This era was in the later part of the twentieth century when some Ghanaian musicians resident in several German cities (especially Hamburg) built a stronger musical career for themselves. This included the likes of Lee Doudo, McGod, Charles Amoah, and Ben Brako among a host of others. From then, the word Borgar, an offspring of Burger was conferred on anyone who travels out of the shores of the nation even if not Germany.

The premier university of the nation is one institute that continually is flooded with over twenty thousand application forms annually. This indicates its status in relations to the nation’s other tertiary institutions. Even with its various admission policies including the famous affirmative action for female applicant, thousands of hearts are broken annually as the university’s intake is pegged around eight thousand. With an elaborate ceremony, these freshmen are matriculated into the university, making them recognised members of the elite society. The major challenge confronting these freshmen is being handed the enormous responsibility of settling down in a very convoluted environment where one wonders who he or she can trust.

More often than not, students of Legon, the premier university are not bothered with the numerous problems that plague the university preventing a sound learning environment. Not even the overstretched university facilities or the contentious residential allocations seem to be the bother of these students. This is not to talk of the university’s failure to function as a research based institution been given any attention by the several thousands of students. What is seen to be more pressing within the students fraternity is the sustenance of the highly cherished ‘‘Leg Experience’’- a four pack objectives defined by the student body as Ultimate Achievement (Grabbing, Inner Rooms, Borgar and First Class). Almost all souls on campus place much importance on Borgar.

‘‘Borgar’’ on campus is about travelling out of the shores of the country during vacations to scout for usually picking and parking jobs. With no restriction to any sex, the major aim of borgaring is to obtaining ‘deep pockets’ for show offs as well as for subsequent travels. It’s only the rich kid students who can afford to travel out to shake off the semester’s stress and to calm their nerves without thinking of grading a shanty job. These Dada- Bees (as they are called) can afford to travel for few weeks in order not to miss out on their academic work. This is contrasted by their colleagues who stay out there longer in their quest to amass more wealth. South Africa, Ireland and Canada are some of their destinations but the desired ones of any Borgar is the United States of America or United Kingdom.

To be given the title Borgar on campus is like being given the uncontrollable privileges of the British monarch or the marriage powers of a tradition African King. Being a Borgar does not only come with Prestige but some sort of Respect as well.
In an interaction with Amos Quarcoopome, a final year student and a known one time UK Borgar, he wouldn’t waste time to comment on the most important issue on campus among students, Borgar. According to him, the title Borgar comes with much more than reverence and prestige. ‘‘To be called a Borgar is the dream of over eighty percent of all students on campus. This show how important it is to students in general, not only those of Legon. There is the perception that Borgars are rich and can afford whatever they want. This makes it adorable and enviable resulting in its attached importance and attention. People will prefer to be Borgars than even getting a first class, it is really funny’’.

According to Amos, some people come to Legon not because they want to obtain a degree but for alternative reasons of which includes Borgar. These people will certainly overstay their visas and end up as illegal migrants. That becomes the last known of them as they use the university as a means to an end. The UK borgar goes ahead to detail me on the advantages of being a Borgar.
‘‘When you are a Borgar, it gives you this sort of confidence and you feel good within you and among others. Things become quite easier for you as you get certain favours you previously were not getting. Borgars are known to own the best clothes and use the very expensive designers and brands- talk of D&G, RocaWear, Victoria Secret, Mary Kay and others

With the recent changes in the immigration laws of the several European countries, students on campus seem to have developed their own way around these embassies. This brings to floor the chain of Travel Organisations of which some are even perceived to be operating illegally on campus. Some students will still employ their services in spite of their exorbitant charges. An American work program (J1 Visa) is between $2500 to $3000 and1200 pounds for a UK working holiday visa. The unfortunate ones’ who can’t raise such an amount continually holds on to faith trusting the embassies would not refuse their applications. This group are those who sometimes depend on the advice of Borgar pals.

Another aspect of the Borgar phenomenon which is kept in the dark is what these Borgars do on their stay in those countries- inhumane jobs. This is confirmed by a USA Borgar, Christie. She was lucky to have worked as a crew member McDonalds and KFC.
‘‘As a crew member, your role various at every point I time. You either serve or be at the drive through- taking orders. I know a lot of friends who had to do cleaning and other crazy jobs even without a good remuneration. It is not easy like people think and being out there can be frustrating sometimes.

From these testimonies, won’t there be a need to call a student who goes to the UK for inhuman jobs as a UK Hustler than a UK Borgar. The question on my mind is if it is appropriate for our intelligent university students and our future leaders to be embarking on such trips only to be reduced to mere dish washing machines among others. Some will even go through all these process and finally not end up realising their Borgar ambitions. This is compensated with very poor grades. To have a travel experience is just right and perfect but not in such a manner where your existence and identity will be twaddle.

By Chris Koney
chriskoney@gmail.com