The corruption canker: You are part of the problem/solution

People who see every wrong in others yet never see themselves as part of the problem or the solution thereof always fascinates me. In our developing country, criticisms regarding corrupt practices and leaders are a staple dish in the media. It is thus not surprising for citizens to blame every problem on corrupt leaders and their diabolic schemes. However, I think it’s about time we take our share of the blame as ordinary citizens, having created suitable substrates for such activities to thrive.

As I woke up one morning, I was greeted by a chat on facebook from a gentleman who bears the same name as mine. Initially, I was reluctant to reply to the chat due to some previous undesirable experience. However, after a period of hesitation, I decided to respond to him on the premise that it was an opportunity to affect a life. After the usual salutations, I inquired from him if he had thought about who and where he would like to be 10years from now? As typical of most of our youth, his only desire was to travel to the US or Australia where the pastures are perceived to be greener. He pointed out the corruption situation in the country buttressing his point with recent instances of corruption among government officials. To him, there was no way one could have a decent living in such an environment characterized by ‘corrupt’ leadership- hence, his desire to leave the country for others, which are supposedly rid of corruption. His answer to a large extent sums up the perception of many Ghanaians and the youth in many developing countries around the world about their countries and leaders.

While quick to point out how corrupt and inept our leaders are, we often fail to realize how we in our own small way have been partakers or contribute to the decay we see in our society. I am yet to hear from individuals who at least admit their role in promoting this act or even willing to initiate personal practical steps beyond the political rhetoric to address this canker. Having gone through high school and college in Ghana, I am all too well informed of some nefarious deals that students engage in. I know of the extent and the considerable amount of energy that students are willing to expend to gain knowledge of examination questions [popularly known as apo] instead of putting in the requisite extra hours of studying to succeed. In secondary school, we condone practices in which freshmen have to ‘bribe’ seniors with their provisions [food] to escape performing daily chores or punishment. I need not bore you with examples of similar acts in our colleges, which are generally considered as normal student life under the guise of ‘tradition’. Unknowingly, these acts sow the seeds of corruption in our future leaders.

At the market place, it is uncommon for traders and artisans to inflate prices of their goods and services hoping to make extra profits from their unsuspecting customers. Similar acts in our public institutions are common knowledge to all. From public servants arriving to work late but leaving earlier than the scheduled time to individuals using official resources for their personal gain. Not forgetting the fact that, governmental vehicles are always without fuel during working days when they are needed to perform official task but mysteriously have enough fuel to conduct funerals and other social gatherings on the weekends. Unfortunately, we often consider these acts as trivial and part of the general norm.

While concerned about the decay at the national level, it is about time we recognize that corruption begins from our homes and schools where those leaders are nurtured. We all need to accept responsibility and work together for a lasting solution. Until we stem the tide at the grassroot level, all efforts to curtail the problem at the highest level will only be addressing the symptoms of the problem. The earlier we act the better for us all!