There is widespread belief that in modern Ghanaian society, the interest of the individual supercedes that of the society, always

FEAR GOD

There is widespread belief that in modern Ghanaian society, the interest of the individual supercedes that of the society, always. This bad behavior has been extended to even leadership. In fact government chief spokesperson, Kwadwo Oppong Nkrumah, an MP, has openly advised Ghanaians place their individual selves above society. There’s a word for that, selfishness. True as it may be, I don’t think you see that as the convenient or desirable.

Every society has inbuilt mechanisms to safeguard against such selfish tendencies. In precolonial Ashanti kingdom, for instance, family heads swore allegiance to the odikro, local chief, who in turn swore same to the chief who also swore to the king, Asantehene. Every step along the way, these heads swore to protect and project their people.

In pre democratic Britain, knights swore same. The Magna Carta itself was crafted by elders who had sworn to themselves before forcing the king to swear to abide by it.

What is so different with ours that money has become the sole indispensable denominator. It’s for the very reason of such excesses of money or it’s derivatives that leaders are forced to swear oaths of office.

So it all boils down to the oath. Most people think the oath is just a ritual. It’s more than that. It puts fear into the leaders to make sure they walk straight with the people.

Here comes the part you don’t want to hear. But you need to. The oath should be sworn by something that evokes so much fear that the one who swears by it fear for their life. In Ghana, that is not Bible. It’s not Quran.

I will not continue beyond this point because foreigners with no interest in our wellbeing have told some here to insult and cast insinuations at me if I tell you. If you listen to me, when you become leaders, you won’t be able to steal our resources and invest same in their land. This country could be so attractive your youth wouldn’t go to their land to slave. You might even force your current leaders to swear by gods they fear and develop.

So let’s just say, have a great day.

Mark McStill, 26/3/23.