I am yet to meet a Ghanaian who will be so confident to bet his most worthless coins on the fact that he can enter any Ghanaian institution and not find corruption out there—including our religious homes.
Though Ghanaians hardly agree on anything because of our great spirit of tolerance and diverse views, it is pretty easy to find a collection of rational Ghanaians agreeing to the statement; Ghana is corrupt with no chance of immediate liberation—we are heading for disaster.
During a discussion over breakfast at Amsterdam’s Hotel Schiphol A4 yesterday, the over 8 never met Ghanaians who were seated had various revolting stories on how they’ve witnessed day time corruption with their own eyes—and anytime they visit Ghana, things seem to be getting worse.
From our State institutions to private businesses, not forgetting our most sacred establishments —religious homes, corruption has become an acceptable practice in Ghana. And if intimidation, bigotry and segregation are not enough to keep you quiet should you dare to expose anyone, I am sure a threat to end your life will do.
If you want to see the phrase ‘each one for himself, God for us all’ in operation, visit Ghana where you usually have to pay a bribe to enjoy a right and do the same should you decide not to uphold a duty.
The level of corruption in the various sectors of Ghanaian societies has risen beyond the dark nights of ‘behind close door operations’, corruption is organised, paraded and executed in broad day light, in spite of the numerous anti-corruption laws and institutions.
Even though the various stories of corruption shared by the level headed Ghanaians over the breakfast table were not shocking to me, an old man who was forced out of Ghana during the Rawlings’ military intervention in polities made a chilling but true declaration…
According to this ‘old man’, the fact that the various Killings and atrocities suffered by those perceived as corrupt (though we understand innocent souls suffered) during the PNDC era has not shaken the bedrock of corruption in Ghana is an indication that ‘you can take the Ghanaian out of Ghana but cannot take corruption out of the Ghanaian’.
Without any malicious intent, this man who has lived through different phases of Ghana’s development added ‘Ghanaians have so soon forgotten the painful incidence of Rawlings’ unwarranted killing…Corruption is in our blood and we continue to pass it on unto our children’
It is sad but true… Corruption was, and still remains to me, an acute problem curtailing our progress as a nation.
To me, clearing all Ghanaians and cultivating new ones (if that is even possible) will not bring corruption under control in Ghana. It is a mind-set and those involved and concerned must make conscious efforts to let it go…
Until then, the popular notion ‘if you cannot beat them, just join them’ will continue to be the order of the day in Ghana.
What has your experience been with corruption in Ghana? And what do you think is the way forward for us?
corruption is really in existence and persistent.
if anyone doubts it,let the person visit (apply to)the tertiary institutions,especially training colleges(frm experience), where your grade is not ,if not never a criteria for your qualification into it.
haven’t been there twice(applied for 2yrs now no admission yet) ,the second time I saw a student who couldn’t qualify for interview in the first time I applied.
a student who was caught cheating(was using a mobile fone in answering a supposed unknown question to both invigilators and interviewee) was among the first badge of students admitted.