The Character Of Impunity: When Will It Stop In Ghana?

The Writer

I have keenly observed that the character of impunity is gradually becoming a norm for most Ghanaians and this situation calls for a worry. This situation has existed and continues to exacerbate in areas of politics, governance, environment and religion.

The political atmosphere in Ghana is so heated that every act, activity and project by any individual is polarized towards political lines. Ghana is nurturing a democracy that teaches people to intimidate, discriminate and verbally attack individuals believed to be political opponents. It is very difficult for me to admit whether the so-called multi-party democracy that we claim to be practicing really advocate for such characters. Most often individuals stand on platforms to directly or indirectly scorn their political opponents. What is most appalling is the disrespect we have for our elders especially political leaders. It takes a journey of 'knocks and cranks' to able to rise to higher political ladder. Using words, images, and all sorts of antics to impersonate and ridicule opponents especially people of great integrity like the President, Minister, and persons of higher social value, I think is embarrassing to our young democracy and those who involve themselves in such acts should be ashamed of themselves. It's high time the security agencies up their game and fish out these notorious individuals so that punitive sanctions met out to them to serve as deterrent to others. Ghana cannot be breeding a democracy with immorality, character assassination, and politics of insults and those culprits allow roaming freely without fear.

In the governance of our country, Ghanaians have pledged in the 1992 Constitution:

IN A SPIRIT of friendship and peace with all peoples of the world;

AND IN SOLEMN declaration and affirmation of our commitment to;

Freedom, Justice, Probity and Accountability;
The Rule of Law;
The protection and preservation of Fundamental Human Rights and Freedoms, Unity and

Stability for our Nation;
With regards to the above declaration, Ghanaians in general especially those in leadership and administration positions have failed dramatically. There is a situation where leaders and public officials engage in massive 'state robbery' publicly known as bribery and corruption. Such individuals do it and go with impunity. The processes involve various line of duty of which such individuals become 'smart' and use documents and 'legal' means to defend themselves. At the presidency, ministries, MMDAs, departments and agencies as well as all public institutions, corruption and embezzlement, misappropriation and misuse of the tax pay's money go on, on daily basis without any means of accountability. People who are caught in the act are sent to court and subsequently they are able to defend themselves through their intelligent lawyers. I have always asked this question, 'if I help somebody without taking money or anything from the person what will happen me? After all Confucius said, 'a man of humanity is one who , in seeking to establish himself, finds a foothold for others and who, in desiring attaining himself, helps others to attain'. I still wonder whether the existence of EOCO, CHRAJ and BNI is important because, personally, these people are equally uncovered victims of such circumstances.

Our environment is being destroyed on daily basis and we're facing problems of pollution, flood, malaria, cholera, and deforestation. Our waters are drying up and so fish production is becoming low. Other aquaculture activities have come to halt due to crude and illegal mining otherwise known as 'galamsey'. Every day we cry of water shortages forgetting that our own actions and inactions are costing us. People throw rubbish and waste anyhow, gutters become chocked and un-cleared and when it rain, overflowing water becomes a disaster to us. We die every day of malaria and cholera due to filthy surroundings. We build houses on water ways and when excess water flow through, the government takes the blame. Forests are being destroyed through illegal chain-saw operators and vegetations cleared-off without replacement and our homes become susceptible to rainstorms. Why should we live with this character of impunity? Perhaps, Confucius said, 'if there was one word that can serve as an advice to man it would be 'thoughtfulness'' and so I ask whether Ghanaians are really thoughtful.

In the spiritual world of Ghanaians, we're tagged as being religious, but I think we're over-religious. Religious leaders who proclaim themselves as 'Men of God' or otherwise Prophets continue to pollute our minds with so-called revelations and miracles. Excuse me to say 'Ghanaians have lost their spiritual route' and only frustrations are making us think we are religious. What is appalling is that the activities and pronouncements of some of the so-called prophets turn to create panic and fear among the public. Perhaps, do we really understand our duties as ministers of God? Jesus told us in Matthew 7:20-23 that 'Therefore by their fruits you will know them. Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, 'Lord, Lord', have not prophesied in your name, cast out demons in your name, and done many wonders in your name? 'And I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness'. And in Matthew 24:24, 'For false Christs and prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect'.

I agreed with Archbishop Duncan- Williams for describing some 'so-called men of God', as 'doomsday prophets'. He said 'the things that you must always look out for when you see all these prophets prophesying all kinds of doom..is to ask yourself does the prophet have honor, credibility, character and integrity?'. He added that 'sometimes our own desires, wishes, personal passions, convictions, greed, and selfishness blind us to reality'.

Some people take advantage of religion to make money. In churches, streets, platforms, homes, passenger buses, and almost every corner, they are 'preaching' the word. Some of them involve in 'religious robbery', pick pocketing, force begging, adultery, and rape through spiritual deceit and falsehood. The impunity of such individuals in Ghana calls for regret.

I must admit that Ghana is gradually becoming host of dubious, abasious and deviant characters and these characters live without fear of being apprehended. If we do not begin abating such characters, then posterity will not forgive us for breeding characters of impunity.

Abu Ibrahim Azebre
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