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 

THE REALITY FACING THE 21ST CENTURY YOUTH IN AFRICA- THE THOUGHT OF A GHANAIAN YOUTH.

THE REALITY FACING THE 21^ST CENTURY YOUTH IN AFRICA- THE THOUGHT OF A GHANAIAN YOUTH.

The phrase “The youth are the future leaders of Africa” is one of the most common phrases every youth who have had the opportunity to listen to a development lecture or a seminar by a renowned person or youth coach in Africa has ever heard.

 This phrase seems to suggest that, the survival of the African continent largely depends on the actions and inactions of the youth. This phrase seems to give so much hope to young Africans as the youth is made to believe to be the heirs of the continent.  However, in spite of this soul satisfying words, the African youth is confronted with lots of realities.

It is indeed true that, the 21^st century African youth has to face this realities of life.

The reality of having to spend over 25 years in school only to graduate to join a long queue of unemployed graduates.

The reality of surviving based on “who knows you”.

The reality that politics seem to be the easiest way to make it in life.

The reality of being told as a youth to be creative and innovative when the systems and structures suggest otherwise.

The reality of having to undertake internships and volunteering opportunities in order to survive but hardly get employed.

Just as it is done in most schools, the lecturer on the first day seeks to engage the students, know their background and how to effectively meet the expectations of students. In one of my post-graduate lessons, the lecturer got in and after the class introduced ourselves, almost 75% of the class aside national service have never been gainfully employed before. The lecturer on a lighter note said. “Eiiiiiii, this is strange, so you all came back for your master’s degree because you couldn’t find jobs? However seeking knowledge is better than engaging in this political vigilantism and unnecessary social vices”.  These words have always comforted my heart as I ponder over what to do with my life after my post graduate program with this reality facing the African youth.

As young persons, some of the favorite motivational quotes we were told include.

“Education is surely the key to success”

“Seek first the kingdom of education and all others shall be added up unto you”

Most African youth ask themselves if education is no longer the key to success or whether the padlock to success has been changed. This is due to the reality that, some graduates with PhDs and master’s degrees are struggling to survive.

The youth have been promised heaven in political party manifestoes. We would have settled for “Garden of Eden” or even considered “earth” but the sad reality is that, it seems hell is what is being delivered.

With all these realities staring at our faces, surviving seem to be difficult but can we give up?

Do we want the next generation after our generation to face these  woes?

It took the efforts of the youthful intelligence of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah and Nelson Mandella among others to lead the struggle for independence. It took the charisma and bravery of Jerry John Rawlings and Thomas Sankara among others to restore hope and confidence in their countries. The youth have done it in the past and surely we can do it again.

This is the time for us as African youth to eschew and abandon unnecessary acts that destroy and decay the future of our continent. Say no to political vigilantism, drug abuse, illicit trading, internet fraud and other social vices.

What gives me hope as an African youth is the fact that;

There are many of the youth who are studying seriously to acquire knowledge to address the problems confronting our continent.

There are a thousand of youth working effortlessly to earn a decent living

There are so many youth out there, thinking and making efforts to kick start their own businesses and enterprises to address the high rate of unemployment.

There are many elderly who have devoted themselves to train, equip and impact positively on the youth on how best to make it in life.

There are several donor funded projects and interventions equipping the youth to develop feasible solutions to our problems.

As African youth, we should be willing and ready to make and learn from our own mistakes rather than being in our little corner hoping for bread to fall from heaven.

To my fellow Ghanaian youth and all other youth across the continent, as we ponder and resolve to take up roles and innovative ideas as youth to change the fortunes of this continent, let us always keep in mind a very common marching song during our basic school days.

“Arise Ghana youth for your country; the nation demands your devotion; Let us all unite to uphold and make our nation great and strong. We are all involved.”

Kwame Ohene-Ntow

YALI DREAM,

A BETTER GHANA,

A BRIGHTER AFRICA.

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

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

Facebook; Kwame Ohene-Ntow

May, 2019

OH AFRICA! WHEN WILL OUR LIGHT SHINE? THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH.

OH AFRICA! WHEN WILL OUR LIGHT SHINE? THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH.

When will our light shine mother Africa?
Will our light ever shine as Africans?
Do we even have a plan to light our flames as a people?
Is the Blackman capable of managing his own affairs as claimed by Dr. Kwame Nkrumah?

Oh mother Africa, 
Could there be a single week of  incident-free  in our beloved continent?

Why is our land blessed with natural resources yet poverty remains dominant?

Why do we have some of the best brains in the world yet our challenges keep on compounding?

Why do we produce most of the world's agricultural produce yet we are not even the determiners of their prices?

Why do we boast of how accommodating we are yet we keep on fighting each other?

Why do we have the same blood running through our veins yet we met out inhumane treatment on one another?

Religion (Christianity and Islam) seems dominant yet our land is filled with greed, wickedness and torture?

Africans, this is the time to ponder over our lives, look at where we have come from, envisage our future and take the bold decision to take our destiny in our hands.

Africa, arise, we can make our continent great because we have all it takes to deliver.

Africans, the time is now or never.

Enough of the blame game.
Let us stop blaming colonialism for our challenges.

The many problems confronting our continent is similar if not the same, this is the time for us to join forces, share ideas, brainstorm, break all odds , develop a positive attitude and fight for our vision.

Together we can, let us all as individuals, organizations, communities, countries light our candles to brighten our little corners and we will all see how bright and beautiful our continent will be.

Kwame Ohene-Ntow.
YALI dream.
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

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE AS AN ACADEMIC ASSIGNMENT!!! THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH

THE JOURNEY OF LIFE AS AN ACADEMIC ASSIGNMNENT!!! THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH.

Varied opinions have been expressed about life. Some of these opinions have been informed by ones religious, social, academic, economic and cultural inclination. Whiles some believe life is a journey, others are of the view that, life in itself a destination. These thoughts continue to inform the actions and inactions of many.

Life may be seen as an "academic assignment" with a deadline. Yes a deadline!!! which we all have to meet and will meet oneday. The creator of the universe in this sense will be our Professor. He has given us the topic for the assignment. The topic is rooted in His purpose for creating us. He has promised us of a reward if we successfully complete the assignment. The reward is "Life everlasting and prosperity" but interestingly, the deadline for submission of the assignment has not been given. How then are we to know the pace of work? How then do we come out with a schedule to guide us in undertaking the assignment?

Interestingly, unlike most of our academic assignments where both content and number of pages matter, this assignment of life focuses on content. If it's a page and rich in content, the reward is merited. If it is a 50 page document with rich content, the same reward is given. Quite interesting!!!. It does not matter how long you live but what matters is the impact you make whiles you live.

For those who see life as an academic assignment, copying others who are presumed to be "academically sharper" remains the best option. They copy everything about others hoping to get the best of grades but rather forget that, those they are copying are not the lecturers. They sometimes forget that, the marking scheme is available to all of us, that is, the Bible or Quran and for others, their faith in their object of worship. Why copy from someone when you have the marking scheme to guide you?

Another group of people who see life as an academic assignment but are often either lazy or busy with other stuff also outsource it. With this group of people, their lives are often dictated by others who they have outsourced it to. It could be their spouses, mentors and religious leaders. They forget that, like an academic thesis, they will have to defend the thesis in the presence of their Professors before they are awarded their certificates. How do you defend a life you haven't lived yourself before a competent and capable professor?

What then is life? The Akan's have a better way of expressing life, they refer to it as "obra ne woara b)" which literally means, “Life is how you make it." Life is all about you and your priorities.

For those who will continue to see life as an academic assignment and copy wholeheartedly, remember you may be penalized severely for academic dishonesty (plagiarism) and your assignment may be rejected. To avoid this, probably, a literature review will not be a bad idea so that you identify the gaps and fill those gaps with your life. In all just remember that, “All shall pass".

By

 Kwame Ohene-Ntow

YALI DREAM

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

AFRICA IS NOT POOR BUT AFRICANS ARE POOR: THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH

AFRICA IS NOT POOR BUT AFRICANS ARE POOR: THE THOUGHT OF AN AFRICAN YOUTH

As I ponder over  the words of Dr. Kwame Nkrumah on the eve of the Independence of Ghana,  “the black man is capable of managing his own affairs when given the opportunity”, I wonder the veracity or otherwise of this statement since after so many years of African liberation, the continent is still battling with  poverty, high rate of graduate unemployment, political violence where some African leaders have ruled their country for several decades as if Democracy is synonymous to Monarchical system of governance. Isn’t it strange that, some political leaders want to pass on the leadership of their countries to their children just like in the case of monarchy? Is the black man really capable of managing his own affairs?

Africa remains a beautiful continent, a land with abundant natural resources, a land with awesome and intelligent people. A continent that has been blessed with all the resources required to transform its economy yet confronted with many woes and challenges. What an irony!

Several literature has described Africa as a developing country, for how long will we continue to develop? Other literature also describes Africa as a poor continent? Is Africa a poor continent?

Undoubtedly, Africa cannot be poor and is never poor but perhaps Africans are poor.

Being blessed and endowed with precious and valuable resources such as gold, oil, bauxite, timber among others at our disposal. With the vast and fertile land that can aid in agricultural activities: the African continent still relies hugely on foreign market for agricultural produce. The great African continent our forefathers brought forth is nowhere to be found.

On the contrary, why will Africans not be poor when we have sold our conscience and portray such greediness and selfishness in our daily lives? Why won’t Africans be poor when we see opportunities to serve our motherland as an opportunity to loot and enrich our families? Africa is not poor but Africans are poor due to our negative attitudes.

Pointing accusing fingers on each other especially in our political circles has been the order of the day. Sadly, this trend has led us to nowhere but rather worsened our woes. Isn’t it sad, that after several years of independence, we still blame our colonial rulers for our woes? I can only agree with this point if, our colonial rulers handed over to us political independence and took away or attitudinal independence which we have to fight for! If that is the case, then let us therefore continue to struggle for attitudinal independence as a means of addressing our woes.

Isn’t it sad and heart-breaking that, some people work for several years and still back date their date of birth in order to stay in public office after attaining the mandatory age of retirement?

Isn’t it more worrying that, Africans still defecate in our water bodies in this 21^st Century?

Isn’t it crazy that, we litter around and build on water ways?

Isn’t it more disturbing that, we manufacture products and label them as foreign goods?

Probably, Africans are not poor materially but are highly indebted attitudinally.

 Instead of always engaging in the blame game as to why Africans are poor in spite of our rich continent, let us take a retrospective look at our daily attitudes. Imagine an Africa where there are no filth and dirt on the street resulting in malaria and other diseases. Imagine an Africa where people aspire for political office and other leadership positions to serve and not to be served. Imagine a corruption free Africa where resources are evenly and equitably distributed. Imagine an Africa where jobs and promotions are given based on merits. Imagine an Africa where Europeans and Americans will have to struggle to get VISA to visit our continent to seek for greener pastures such as how we do.

One of the surest ways to turn this “Imaginary beautiful Africa” into reality is to change our attitudes. Positive attitudes will surely make Africans as rich as Africa. Let us not disappoint Kwame Nkrumah and other founding fathers of Africa for fighting hard for political freedom. Let generations to come remember us for fighting for attitudinal independence just as we remember our forefathers for fighting for political independence. With positive attitudes, there is no doubt that, the words of Kwame Nkrumah, “the black man is capable of managing his own affairs” will be a reality and not a myth.


By

Kwame Ohene-Ntow

YALI DREAM

A BETTER GHANA

A BRIGHTER AFRICA.

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

Email: vincentntow12@gmail.com

May,2019

A RELOOK AT CORRUPTION IN GHANA; MENTAL REVOLUTION AND LEADERSHIP KEY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

A RELOOK AT CORRUPTION IN GHANA; MENTAL REVOLUTION AND LEADERSHIP KEY IN THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION.

A better appreciation of how deadly and disastrous corruption has been and continues to be to this country will be to soberly reflect on its damning effects to our dear country.

Consider the number of lives that are lost and persons disabled due to poorly constructed roads, the quantum of properties destroyed due to negligence, the precious lives we continuously loose due to the collapse of unsupervised buildings and the many Ghanaians who have been unjustly imprisoned due to  influences in the judicial system of Ghana.

A deeper reflection of these consequences of corruption due to greed, negligence, selfishness and irrational decisions of some public officials naturally evokes pain, anger and malice in the hearts and minds of Ghanaians who work tirelessly to pay their bills, educate their kids and pay huge taxes only for their taxes to be abused by state officials who are mandated to manage and put the money into the provision of public goods and services for the benefit of the entire country.

It probably didn’t come as a surprise, considering the massive support Ghanaians showed, when former president Jerry John Rawlings as a young soldier led a massive revolution in the late 70s and early 80s due to the decay corruption had caused our country. Every passionate and patriotic person who deeply ponders over the consequences of corruption may also lead a similar revolution.

Sadly, after over thirty years after this revolution, the incidence of corruption seem to be worse than before. This is probably due to the fact that, not only political actors engage in this act but religious leaders who should be the mouthpiece of God, academics and teachers who should impart knowledge, traditional rulers who should be custodians of tradition, the media who should expose acts of corruption, the judiciary mandated to protect and defend the law and constitution are all engaged in this act.

I may not attempt to quote any scholarly definition of this deadly cancer but to draw our minds to the fact that, any act of negligence and abuse of office constitutes acts of corruption.

Sometimes when I read or listen to discussions in the report of the Auditor General and Public Accounts Committee of parliament, I weep for mother Ghana and posterity on how people waste and abuse funds and their offices meant for development due to selfishness, negligence and sometimes their own stupidity.

Political actors have always been noted to be the lead in this canker. Sadly,  the discussions in the political circles suggest to me that, political parties all admit to be engaging in corruption but then, the debate is who is more corrupt. Are we not funny as a country?

As we continue to be filled with pain in our hearts on what corruption has done to our country, it is important that, we reflect as non-political actors how we also contribute to the decay in our country.

As health professionals, do we realize the number of lives we loose and deform due to negligence, lateness, wrong diagnosis and subsequently medication?

As teachers and academics, do we realize the quality or type of knowledge we impart to our students due to our negligence?

As civil servants, do we ponder over the number of lives and properties destroyed due to our negligence and in some instances office been influenced?

As religious leaders, do we realize the kind of persons we have produced with our wrongful and way-ward sermons?

As private entrepreneurs, have we for once thought of how understating of profit in order to pay less tax have caused damage to our country?

The list goes on and on but the point is, the pain, anger and malice that fills our minds and hearts when we read, hear or see cases of corruption in our political circles must be applied to ourselves as we ponder over how our negligence and selfishness continues to contribute to the decay in our country.

Let us not be too fast to advocate for a political revolution in the fight against corruption but probably consider a proper revolution in our minds and hearts led by our conscience and attitudes if indeed a revolution is needed to fight this cancer.

As I sat in an ethics class as an undergraduate student and we pondered and discussed over corruption and how to address it, my professor and lecturer took us through a simple mind-blowing test which I would love to share.

As a class, he sampled some of us and asked us if we will be willing to accept bribes or abuse our offices as subordinates knowing our bosses will never accept bribe or engage in any form of negligence. Almost all the respondents said they will not even think of engaging in it.

He further asked the same respondents if they will compromise their office knowing very well with evidence or even with a perception that, their bosses are corrupt. The narrative changed and this time, almost all of the respondents said they will accept and engage in it.

The import of this exercise is that, leadership is an effective tool in the fight against corruption. With even a perception or misconception of corrupt leaders, subordinates are likely to engage in such acts of corruption and the cycle and decay will continue.

We need leadership not just political but in all spheres of life who will not just preach sermons against corruption but live by deeds that, they abhor, detest and never engage in corruption. Leadership who will be willing to sanction and not shield corrupt subordinates.  A total revolution of our minds and attitude led by our conscience is also key. I pray that, the appointment of Hon. Martin Amidu will put the fear of the lord in us as the president mentioned in his outdooring of the special prosecutor nominee.

By:

Kwame Ohene-Ntow.

YALI Dream,

A Better Ghana,

 A Brighter Africa.

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

EMAIL:vincentntow12@gmail.com

May, 2019