8-12-2014 at 8:54pm after a hectic Monday I typed “Corruption" in Google search and guess what sprung up. A host of links redirecting to top Officials and Associations warning people against corruption but the Wikipedia link with the definition of corruption caught my eye.
In philosophical, theological, or moral discussions, corruption is spiritual or moral impurity or deviation from an ideal. Corruption may include many activities including bribery and embezzlement. Government, or 'political', corruption occurs when an office-holder or other governmental employee acts in an official capacity for personal gain. (Wikipedia)
Quite a Definition huh.It drew my attention to the average Ghanaian’s perception of Corruption. Corruption is when a Government official loots some amount of money and gets caught through the efforts of an investigative journalist or a whistle Blower which may have been cheated in the last cake-sharing. Corruption is when a government constructs a road for 2 million and says it’s 10 million. Following this trend, the definitions are seemingly endless. I do not dispute the fact that all these are vivid examples of corruption but my question is "Is Corruption always and only about Government, Government Officials or people at the Top?”
Corruption goes beyond just the Government or people in High places. Corruption is when you buy a phone for GHC 100 and take a receipt for GHC 120 just to get some "coins" .It is when you lie about or change your age just to feature in a football match or to postpone retirement. It is when you collect and keep double change from a trotro mate and proclaim it being your lucky day. It is when you watch your colleague taking property of the state or company home and u not only keep quiet about it but replicate the action when you get the chance. Corruption is when we refuse jobs to competent and better suited people and in turn place or friends or family there of even lower competence
All am driving at is that we all have one way or other through the minutest of actions indulged in corruption that we seem to think is the norm of the day. Nonetheless that is not a yard stick to overlook and encourage these acts of corruption and acts of impunity happening in the country now. I stand to differ but the "name and shame" method is not working anymore. We need to go the extra mile of redeeming funds stolen from the state even if it would mean confiscating of assets and even prison time so as to serve as a deterrent for others. Yes if the price we have to pay for eradicating the shameful act of corruption is bringing to justice certain prominent people in society then so be it.
We are the Change we seek
Together lets FIGHT CORRUPTION!!
Together lets FIGHT CORRUPTION!!
