I recently read an article somewhere which argued that one of the reasons we are having so many problems in this country is that we have branded stealing when it’s done by big men. An ordinary person steals, but a politician or public official is guilty of corruption.

The problem, you see, is that stealing is highly punishable, corruption isn’t: in our part of the world at least.

That must be the feeling of this young man who has received a 30 year sentence with hard labour from a Kumasi Circuit court for robbing a lady of her mobile phone, and Ghc 200.

A GNA news report indicates the victim was on her way to the market, when the convict pounced on her with a knife, he took her handbag which contained her phone, the cash and other valuables.

She managed to raise an alarm which led to some people tracking the robber, identified as Stephen Boakye. He was apprehended by the group who handed him over to the police.

The incident occurred on Monday, November 3.

He pleaded guilty in court; the judge found him guilty and sentenced him to 30 years imprisonment with hard labour. I cannot think of any occasion where I heard of justice being applied so swiftly!

There is no doubt this young man is guilty, but when people steal thousands and continue to roam scot free it raises some questions about what kind of country we live in? If Ghc 200 gets you thirty years with hard labour, I’m afraid majority of our politicians have earned an eternity in hell.

It’s really disheartening seeing clear evidence of class inequality displayed like this. If only we could find a court with a judge this swift to administer justice in corruption cases, we could have some sanity back in our system within a very short time.