BLAME GAME

The game is simple: “Blame everyone but yourself.”

Everyone speaks passionately about the ills of society and what we have become as a people. Wrongs exist everywhere, yet no one seems to accept responsibility or acknowledge their contribution to these problems.

Men impregnate young women and refuse to take responsibility, leading to abortion, school dropout, single parenting, malnourishment, and streetism—ultimately feeding the very societal ills we complain about. These same men turn around to blame political actors for failing to prevent crime. But who caused it?

Our streets and communities resemble garbage sites.
People litter anywhere and anyhow, choking gutters and causing floods. Yet the very perpetrators expect someone else to clean their mess.

Wetlands are filled with laterite and sand—often with the silent approval of those appointed to prevent such acts. Others watch as wetlands are converted for industrial, commercial, or domestic use, feeling either helpless or unconcerned. But when floods eventually destroy their homes, they direct their anger at politicians, forgetting they themselves looked on when the damage began.

People seek power and office solely to amass wealth.
Bribery and corruption are everywhere, eroding public trust in institutions meant to serve the people.

It now seems abnormal not to “thank” public officers in cash or kind after receiving a service they are officially mandated to provide. These same officers complain about bribery and corruption when they encounter others with the same attitude.

There was a time when the phrase “Service to Man is Service to God” was proudly echoed by preachers, chiefs, political leaders, and public servants—because they lived it. Can the same be said today?

Our once‑respected public and traditional institutions have become shadows of themselves. Many of their leaders have become egocentric and inward‑looking.
Personal aggrandizement has replaced the cherished value of communality.
Volunteerism has become nothing more than a dictionary word.

Multi‑party democracy seems to have exorcised communal labour and volunteerism from our national character. Community leaders now depend solely on central government for almost everything—even small footbridges. If funds are not released, the people simply suffer, with no one providing leadership.

Family, public, and stool lands are sold at exorbitant prices, with proceeds ending up in private pockets. Yet those same individuals expect “someone else” to develop their surroundings simply because elected officials manage public funds.

We behave as though public funds come only from taxes collected by politicians. Internally Generated Funds—such as land proceeds, royalties, special levies, and fines—are used at the discretion of office holders, often for personal benefit, while communities, offices, and institutions deteriorate.

Everyone expects compliance, but no one wants to comply.
People who should know better jump queues and traffic lights, yet demand orderliness from others. A police officer may use an unregistered vehicle in violation of the law, then arrest and extort money from others for the same offence.

Senior officers feel entitled to arrive late to work or official functions, but consider it unacceptable when subordinates do the same.

Law and order have been relegated to the background because everyone claims a right—
A right to say anything to anyone without consequence.
A right to enter Parliament during proceedings and demand that MPs halt bills.
A right to demonstrate without notifying the police.
A right to throw stones at law enforcement and expect no response.
A right to publicly insult corporate and public officials and expect silence.

Is this the democracy our forebears shed blood for?

Rights without corresponding responsibilities breed hypocrisy, apathy, and catastrophe.
And this is what fuels the blame game.

The blame game leads only to retrogression, stagnation, and underdevelopment.

Everyone has a role to play in our collective progress.

I will play my role. Play yours, and together we will live happily.

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