Corruption, they say is as old as the hills or Adam. I guess we will be angels in heaven if the world were totally free of corruption. Corruption is something we all learn to live with. But wait! We need not be resigned to it or cynical. Instead of breast-beating over this social canker, I suppose we explore the solutions as intellectuals. Corruption has been defined by most people all through the world. As Christians, is very important that we see corruption as the Lord sees it not as men define it.
Why? One may ask. Well! The world has so many definitions for corruption just because most of them want to satisfy their selfish desires. Some see bribery and corruption as gifts and nothing more. Others even see corruption to be something linked with politics alone. So the church leader thinks he cannot be corrupt because he is not a politician. Besides most Christians turn to refuse being a political or circular leader or a religious leader. Corruption is the evil which emanates from the seat of power. So unless the individual says “NO” he or she is still prone to it.
If there is anything we can say about corruption then we say it’s nothing new but was, is and will continue to be a challenge. We say corruption is a dishonest or immoral or illegal behavior of a person in return for money or personal gain. There is no doubt that corruption is naturally high with countries with high populations and fewer natural resources. Think of countries like India, China, Nigeria and many others. So we say then, that corruption is like diabetes which cannot be totally eliminated but can be controlled. So why corruption? Is it because people worship wealth and equate possession of vast material wealth with success? Is it because we have turned deaf ears on our social and cultural norms?
Or is it because there is no effective legislative government in our country? Maybe “Yes” but maybe “No”. Or is it because somebody did not tell her baby that he had to work hard to enjoy life; no fast cash and pleasure. Or somebody somewhere did not bring somebody up properly. No offence. Or maybe somebody was so concentrated on preaching prosperity (which is good) but refused to add the part about getting it right; working hard for it. But yet we blame our leaders, yet we nag each and every minute about corruption. There might be good governance, enough money in the system, great leaders in our society but if as godly as we claim, we refuse to let each other know that we can say “No” to corruption then trust me, we are as good as nothing.
If not for anything, let’s remember that money- as a measure of value; means of storing wealth and as a medium of economic exchange is a good thing. At least, it greatly facilitates trade with its high liquidity. But then, as good and useful it may so be, it also greatly suit the inclinations of the corrupted. Let us not forget about Balaam, who tried to combine prophecy, the service of God with the wages of iniquity (corruption). Oh! I nearly forgot, and Judas who made his final decision to betray Jesus just under the influence of money.
Corruption is a great moral hazard and a gargantuan cog in the wheel of national progress, I must say. And it’s capable of paralyzing a nation as it can compromise national security. Fellow students, Corruption is one of the greatest wrongs that a person can commit whether in the church, politically or even at the student level. Let’s not forget, in our mother land, Ghana dwells the poor, homeless, deformed, widows and orphans. Let us think about them first before we think about anything else.
God bless you all.
Written by Emmanuel Nimako Sarkodie Nuamah
University Of Ghana, Legon
