BE MINDFUL OF DAY OF RECKONING (SEP T 11, 2009)

ISSUES of accountability and good governance are very critical principles that all public office holders must strictly uphold.
Indeed, these principles are enshrined in our Constitution that mandates every Ghanaian to hold high these cherished principles.
The DAILY GRAPHIC commends the Asantehene for boldly telling public office holders, including regional ministers and their deputies, to be mindful of the day of accountability when they find themselves out of public life.
We remind everybody of the statement by former American President, Ronald Reagan, when he said: "We must reject the idea that every time a law is broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the precept that each individual is accountable for his actions."
The caution by the Asantehene is timely and very relevant because the advice was given to new ministers of state, who have been entrusted with authority to serve their people instead of lording it over them.
The DAILY GRAPHIC thinks the advice from the Asantehene was not only meant for our political leaders but a call to all Ghanaians, irrespective of whether one finds himself in public life or in private endeavour.
It is sad that as a nation, we have consciously or unconsciously accepted certain vices as virtues.
Indeed, public and civil servants who retire in dignity and have little material possessions are regarded as failures, who, with all the trappings of office, could not amass wealth to enjoy during their retirement.
The crave for material possessions is driving the Ghanaian society towards what happens in the animal kingdom, where every creature fights for survival.
In our communities, drug peddlers and persons labelled as “connection men” are our heroes. And in our churches and social engagements, the rich are given the front roles, without questioning the sources of their wealth so long as they pay their dues and tithes.
Is it any wonder that teenagers are now engaged in what is popularly called “sakawa” instead of being in school to learn and acquire knowledge for the future?
Such is the extent of depravity in our society today that the public good becomes secondary to personal gain.
Our sense of nationalism has been grossly overshadowed by our selfishness. Unless, we take action to play by the rules, we would face the music, when we are each called upon to account for our deeds.
The DAILY GRAPHIC calls on all Ghanaians to step up the call for the principles of accountability and good governance.
We must insist that things are done right, even if it means dying for the truth, because posterity will one day vindicate us for the principles we stood for.
Article 41 of our Constitution states clearly that the exercise and enjoyment of rights and freedoms is inseparable from the performance of duties and obligations.
The DAILY GRAPHIC believes that if all Ghanaians uphold the principles espoused in Article 41, Ghana will be a better place to live in.