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23.06.2012 Feature Article

Measured Truth Is Ethical Weakness Which Induce Conformist Attitude

Measured Truth Is Ethical Weakness Which Induce Conformist Attitude
23.06.2012 LISTEN

Measured truth has become the hallmark of many Ghanaians. Our very existence has taken a dip as we indulge in acts of cowardice under the pretext that we seek peace. There are great quotations from founding leaders of religious societies such as Moses, Jesus, Mohammed and others which encourages us to stand up to the truth even in adversity.

Many Ghanaians have adopted the stance of not brazen out for their right, because they will be branded nation-wreckers. I believe sincerely that many of the issues confronting the country could be averted if we adopt the posture of uprightness than been lame ducks. Our attitude reminds me of what in the military is termed as a “DUD or BLIND MUNITION”. Munitions that failed to explode. It can only be ignited or explode through the use of detonating system.

Yes that is how “Ethical Weakness or Measured Truth” can plunge a country. We are unwilling to tell people in authority in the face, of their complicity in wrong-doings for the fear of being questioned or be referred to as the person who fan the flames of the problem. Never had the country had the moral voice to say that, yes it is wrong for those in authority when they accuse their political opponents whilst they dabble in unsubstantiated stories; continues to smear persons who draw attention to many of their unwarranted diatribe.

This Ethical weakness or what others says as “Moral cowardice” which we cling on to and as a result restrain most of us from speaking our minds, is as dangerous and unsafe to this country as irresponsible talk. Many of us are gagged to believe that standing up to the truth is un-conformist attitude. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. I think and believe that upholding what is right even when ostracized or detested is a true test of moral character.

Why do people tow-the-line of conformist rather than be courageous? The following quote will hazard an answer.

"Cowardice asks the question, is it safe? Expediency asks, is it polite? Vanity asks, is it popular? But conscience asks the question, is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor polite, nor popular -- but one must take it because it's right." Martin Luther King, Jr.

The Ndc and Mills/Mahama led government had use intemperate language and propaganda to gain access to governance, however, are questioning a statement the opposition candidate made to encourage its sympathizers and core members to stand up to aggression and aggressive posture of followers of National Democratic Congress, noted for imbecile attitude.

Sadly, many within the society think taking a courageous posture is a recipe for chaos. We must grasp that, such thinking allows others to take undue advantage to harass all in the name and disposition to conform to their dictates.

The worry is that most social commentators/analyst and moderators of social commentary programs, as well as some religious leaders believe that standing up to the truth must take cognizance of the prevailing conditions, forgetting that continuous acquiescence is rather dangerous as it creates a situation for bullies to visit unacceptable standard of governance upon the governed.

Like Kwesi Pratt the mischief-maker what do we gather about him? Pratt wants everyone to conform to his thinking.

From all I can learn of him, he is a sort of Puck, a professional mischief-maker. One who causes mischief, especially one who makes trouble by spreading gossip! Kwesi Pratt is either reckless and has a very malicious behavior that causes discomfort or annoyance in others, with his improper or wicked or immoral behavior.

He Pratt has a willful wanton and malicious tongue for destruction of the positive features of others. Pratt like others of his ilk from the Ndc is noisy and unrestrained mischief; raising blazes and typifying sordid mischievous or deceitful behavior asking that co-panelist be removed from program.

He had found his match in Sammy Awuku. The young man demonstrated strong courage in combating Pratt's mischief than be overwhelmed by cowardice.

Whatever perception we nurture will surely come back to haunt us someday or one day if we allow “Ethical Weakness” to swallow us. With courage you will dare to take risks, still have the strength to be compassionate and the wisdom to be humble. Courage is the foundation of integrity.

As someone with vast experience in life I do understand that recognition finds time for the man who in reality is on the ground. His appearance is set apart by the soot of the ground, coupled with anxiousness and sweats of blood. And put up all effort gallantly. He often times get it wrong and comes short many times. However, they appreciate the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends self in a worthy cause. He is abreast with himself and knows best when the end triumphs is in the highest fulfillment. Also who at the worst, if he being unsuccessful, at least fails not to recognize, as he dares to the highest degree so that his prominence shall in no way be with those scared stiff, and faint-hearted individuals who live through neither victory nor defeat. Such is the embodiment of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo.

The most alarming form of fear is that, which disguise itself as common sense or even wisdom, condemning as foolish, reckless, insignificant or unproductive the small, daily acts of courage which help to preserve man's self-respect and inherent human dignity. In fact, it is not easy for a people conditioned by fear under the iron rule grasping of the principle that, the act force is a right to free ourselves from the debilitating haze of fear. We ought to understand that even under the most crushing state machinery courage rises up again and again, for fear is not the natural state of civilized man.

GO for it I entreat! Courage not cowardice, Life is not a dress rehearsal. We are living through one of the most primary phase in history, a change in the actual belief structure of the Ghanaian political society. No economic, political, or military power can measure up to the power of a change of mind. As a result of deliberately changing their images of reality, the citizenry are changing our world.

A grandparent was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them... A fight is going on inside me... it is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority and ego. The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith. This same fight is going on inside you and every other person, too. They thought about this for a minute, and then one child asked his grandfather...Which wolf will win? The old man simply replied... The one you feed.

When cowardice is made respectable, its followers are without number both from among the weak and the strong; it easily becomes a way of life or a fashion. To be one's self, and unafraid whether right or wrong, is more admirable than the easy cowardice of surrender to conformity.

There is a point at which the law becomes immoral and unethical. That point is reached when it becomes a cloak for the cowardice that dares not stand up against blatant violations of justice. The All-die-be-die” mantra is a clarion call for those who believe that truth must always triumph over lies. Courageous stands for the truth and are bold, on the other hand cowardice becomes a haven, a sanctuary for conformist.

Patience has its limits. Take it too far, and it is cowardice. If pessimism is despair, optimism is cowardice and stupidity. Is there any need to choose between them? I don't think it is worth it.

You do not become a nonconformist just because you decide one day to take up this most chaotic career. You are thrown into it by your personal sense of responsibility, combined with a complex set of external circumstances. You are cast out of the existing structures and placed in a position of conflict with them. It begins as an attempt to do your work well, and ends with being branded an enemy of society. Many think that Kennedy Agyepong is a dissident or dissenter. Honestly, he is “Patriotic” than most of us. He has demonstrated selfless understanding and love to his countrymen by exposing the rot within our system and fighting for the rights of the defenseless.

Like many frail human feels ostracized, but Ken must realized that to fight any corrupt system one must be willing to go through persecution from within and without. He should realize that it was his dissenting voice that averted or stopped the evil intentions of Odododiodoo silliness.

We must understand that Ghana was not built by conformists, but by mutineers. The likes of Adjetey and Co., the Danquahs, Nkrumahs were dissidents; and all of those whose fortitude and rebellious stance brought freedom from oppression.

We are so docile and permissive that the smallest amount of sudden sensation of objection is taken as an all-out lawlessness. We were unwilling to raise voice against Nii Lantey Vanderpuiye statement but when Kennedy Agyepong made his conditionality statement hell broke loose.

He was vilified. When will we learn to speak out?
There can be no peace without war or war without peace. The two are synonymous.

If you don't speak out now when it matters, when would it matter for you to speak out?

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong. Listening to the NDC on Nana Addo's goodwill message on the Mills health, it is crystal clear that these Mills apologists have nothing to discuss for the elections. The only option left is to force monkey business to gain sympathy.

Excessive lust for money has killed men and left them dead years before burial; and our quest for money, wealth, or profit beyond a few easy needs has perverted a good number of men sometimes into a deadpan of disillusioned maggot, of which Mr. Pratt, the diabolical ethno centrist finds himself.

In spite of everything, voting for our right is doing nothing for it. It is no more than putting across feebly our desire that it should prevail. On the contrary the wise will not leave their right to the mercy of chance, nor wish it to prevail through the power of the majority."

John Mahama makes a candid statement, "No one has the divine right to rule".

John Mahama's own statement laid blame on himself. Whatever his motives for saying so, convicts him. John Mahama is guilty from his statement. He and his boss Atta-Mills should recuse themselves, for the very reason he made the statement, "No one has the divine right to rule". They are really a pain in the back of majority Ghanaians. He must advise his boss that they don't have the divine right to rule. His statement had said it all.

Courage is to speak the truth at all time. For the reasons that deceptions are the biggest, most observable class of cowardice that all of us take cover behind.

Courage speaks to our mind and not to stay silent, simply because we are afraid that other people might not agree with us. Of course, there will be conflicting views, as you would expect we all know conflict is unpleasant. On the other hand not speaking your mind can lead to a large extent worse unpleasantness.

We must have the courage to stand up for what we believe in. We must be willing and have courage to follow public rules and laws and insist that other people follow them too. We must have the courage to resist those who take easy ways out, which leads to more corruption and red tape in our social systems.

Until we learn to be courageous we shall continue to live under the shadows of “Measured Truth which is Ethical Weakness”, the perfecting example of cowardice and conformist. Also, we shall relinquish are birth-right to the Pratts, Ofosu Kwakyes, Ablakwas and etc.

Understand that Ghana was not built by conformists, but by mutineers rising up against the colonial authority. Our fore-bearers were dissatisfied and rebelled.

Courage is the price that life exacts for freedom.

God bless you!
God Bless Ghana!

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