THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN AFRICA! A POLITICAL RHETORIC? THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH

THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION IN AFRICA! A POLITICAL RHETORIC? THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH.

One of the major campaign tools that political actors have often relied on to win the trust and mandate of citizens is the very “juicy” policies and promises aimed at fighting corruption on the continent. However, these policies can best be described as a   “Pack of toothless bulldogs”. They appear scary but cannot bite. They only shield their own, scare their political opponents and appear to be protecting the citizens from danger.

Corruption among some political leaders in Africa can be likened to a baby and the mother’s breast. It serves as their source of power, energy, strength, wealth, happiness and survival. This makes the fight against corruption in our political circles a serious one since the survival of the “most powerful people” on the continent is linked to it.

Undeniably, corruption in Africa is dominant in the political circles. For many non-political actors in Africa, once they earn a decent livelihood and are able to meet their needs, the fight and “noise” against corruption in the political circles on the continent has nothing to do with them. They seem to have washed their hands completely in the same basin Pontius Pilate washed his hands off the crucifixion of Jesus though they are aware of the damning effects of corruption on the society.

 It must however be pointed out  without mincing words, the fight for a corrupt-free Africa can only be achieved when we all join the chorus and shout “ Crucify Corruption!!! Crucify Corruption!!! 

For the many Africans who think the fight against a corrupt-free society has nothing to do with them. For the many Africans who think they are better-off not joining the fight against a corrupt-free Africa. For the many Africans who think the fight against corruption is the job of the media, civil society organizations and state institutions only; Soberly reflect on the effects of corruption on innocent sons and daughters of Africa whose only “crime” was to be born Africans.

Consider the number of lives that have been lost due to poorly constructed roads and buildings. The many desperate youth searching for jobs after spending so many years in school when resources earmarked for job-creation are being embezzled on a daily basis by some public officials. The many Africans who have been unjustly imprisoned due to influences in the judicial system. Consider the number of students who have been denied admission to read their dream courses due to corruption. Consider the number of young ladies who have been abused sexually yet their abusers walk about freely due to corruption in the system. Think of the number of luxury cars and mansions a public officer is acquiring with your taxes. Think of the number of marriages, a public official is contracting with your hard-earned money paid as taxes. Just think of the number of young and energetic youth of Africa who are dying trying to cross the Mediterranean sea and the desert in search for greener pasture in Europe.

 Have a rethink about the fight against corruption and appreciate that, it must be a collective fight.

Who pays the highest price for all these acts of corruption in the System?  Who suffers the most from the negative effects of corruption? Who are the worst victims of this canker?

The Pontiff and Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis answers it for us. “Corruption is paid by the poor and [vulnerable] in the society”.  The poor and vulnerable in the society suffer the most from these acts of corruption. The same poor and vulnerable persons who work day and night to feed their families. The same poor and vulnerable persons who queue under the scorching sun to elect our leaders. The same poor and vulnerable persons who we promise to make life better pay the highest price for the corrupt deeds of our leaders. The pathetic story of the poor and vulnerable in the African society!

Sadly, these same “corrupt state officials” are often celebrated, hailed and carried in Palanquins when they give “fat donation” at social gatherings, given front seat during church harvest. They are often our first point of call when we need financial assistance. Are we really serious about the fight against political corruption in Africa?

How do we fight against corruption knowing the power and forces behind this dangerous canker? The fight against corruption requires a united voice, front and action as a people. When we all unite as media, academics, public servants, private business owners, clergy, traditional leaders, students, civil society groups, traders, farmers among others and yell passionately Enough is Enough!! , no power or force can break or stop us in the fight against corruption. Let us take inspiration from the adage that, “a broom cannot be broken when tied together but each broom stick can be broken when taken out of the bundle.”

Our collective effort and duty in the fight against corruption will be to discuss it passionately, expose, mount pressure on government to prosecute, and punish offenders without fear or favor, devoid of ethnic, political colorization and cultural sentiments.

Let us all as Africans with one voice join the chorus and shout Crucify Corruption!!!Crucify Corruption!!! Crucify Corruption!!! This journey may not be easy but it took the collective effort of all Africans to fight the Apartheid system. Today by the collective effort and determination of Africans, these inhumane practice has been defeated and crucified. Just like how the Apartheid system has no roots in our continent so must we all fight to ensure the crucifixion and total decay of corruption in Africa.

And on the day that corruption will decay completely from the land of Africa, “the angels, choirs of heaven, saints and ancestors will rejoice and sing praises for Africa, for it will mark the end of our woes”. Let us all as Africans join the fight against a corrupt-free Africa.

By:

Kwame Ohene-Ntow.

A better Ghana,

A brighter Africa.

The writer is a graduate student of Development Policy and Planning at KNUST and an alumnus of the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI).

EMAIL:vincentntow12@gmail.com

 May, 2019