In Ghana, crime and corruption are not just issues—they are existential threats, gnawing at the very soul of our nation. They are the silent thieves stealing our future, the invisible chains binding our progress. Yet, what makes these challenges even more insidious is our collective tendency to politicize them, reducing critical conversations to partisan squabbles. But let us be clear: crime is crime, and corruption is corruption—regardless of who is in power or which political party is involved. If we are to reclaim our nation’s promise, we must rise above the narrow confines of politics and confront these vices with unwavering resolve and unity.
Corruption is the invisible hand that robs the poor, the silent thief that steals from the future. It lurks in every corner of society, siphoning resources meant for hospitals, schools, and infrastructure into the pockets of a greedy few. But corruption is not an abstract enemy—it has faces, it has victims, and it has real consequences that we see every day in Ghana.
The Faces of Corruption: Stories That Should Haunt Us
A Teacher’s Struggle: In a rural school, a dedicated teacher sacrifices her own meager salary to buy chalk and textbooks because funds meant for education have been misappropriated. Her students sit on the bare floor, writing on their laps, their dreams shrinking under the weight of neglect. A Farmer’s Plight: Deep in the countryside, a hardworking farmer watches his crops rot. The roads are so dilapidated that buyers cannot reach his farm. He hears rumors that funds were allocated to fix the roads, yet he sees no change. His sweat and toil amount to nothing, swallowed by corruption. A Nurse’s Nightmare: At a clinic miles from the nearest city, a nurse watches helplessly as patients die—not from incurable diseases, but from the lack of basic medicines, beds, and ambulances. She knows the truth: the funds meant to equip the clinic were stolen, and now the price is paid in human lives.
These are not isolated incidents. They are the everyday tragedies of a system that prioritizes greed over human dignity.
The Water Crisis: A Glaring Cost of Corruption
Imagine a child, no older than ten, waking up at dawn. Her tiny feet tread dusty paths as she carries a heavy container, her small frame bent under the weight. She is not alone. Thousands of children across rural Ghana embark on this daily pilgrimage, not for education or play, but for water—a basic human right that remains a luxury for many. These children walk miles to fetch water from dugouts, stagnant ponds, or the dangerously polluted White Volta. The water they bring home is often teeming with disease, yet it is all they have.
I once visited a village in the Northern Region where a mother shared her story with me. Her voice trembled as she recounted how her youngest son died from cholera after drinking contaminated water. “If clean water was a gift the government could give us,” she said, “my son would still be alive.” Her words hung heavy in the air, a painful reminder of the human cost of corruption. The funds meant to build boreholes and provide mechanized water systems had been siphoned away, leaving communities to suffer.
This is the cruel face of corruption—where greed robs children of their health, their education, and sometimes, their lives. “When the fence eats the crops, who will protect the farm?” This African proverb captures the betrayal felt by Ghanaians when those entrusted with resources exploit them for personal gain. The water crisis is not just a development challenge; it is a matter of life and death. And yet, every day that passes, the situation worsens. Donor funding dwindles, aid reduces, and the resources we do have are mismanaged.
“When the well runs dry, we know the worth of water,” another proverb reminds us. But must we wait until the damage is irreversible before we act? The time to fight corruption is now, not as a political exercise, but as a national imperative.
The Unending Ghost Names Scandal: A Case in Point
Consider the persistent issue of ghost names on government payrolls—a scandal that has plagued Ghana for decades. This is not a new problem, nor is it exclusive to one political party. It predates this administration and existed during the first term of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) under President Mahama. Yet, instead of uniting to eradicate this fraud, we often engage in partisan finger-pointing.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, recognizing the gravity of the issue, spearheaded efforts to digitize the system, introducing the Ghana Card and other digital reforms to ensure biometric and facial identification for all citizens. These reforms were designed to curb payroll fraud and bring transparency to public sector management. Yet, they faced resistance, with some members of the opposition vehemently opposing these measures.
One cannot help but wonder: Had these reforms been fully embraced and implemented across all sectors, including the National Service Scheme (NSS) Secretariat, would we still be grappling with the same problem today? The sad reality is that every time corruption or crime is exposed, it quickly becomes a political chess game. Instead of asking the right questions and demanding justice, we ask, Who does this scandal benefit politically? We argue about whether similar issues happened under a previous administration instead of tackling the issue at hand. This is where we fail as a nation.
Corruption is Not a Political Trophy
Corruption is not a political trophy to be won or lost at the polls. It is a national crisis that affects every Ghanaian. It affects people in my own village, Eggu, where basic amenities are scarce. It affects farmers who struggle to transport their produce because roads are in deplorable condition—roads that were supposed to be fixed with funds that mysteriously disappeared. It affects students who sit under trees for lessons because funds meant to build classrooms were misappropriated. It affects patients who die because ambulances are unavailable or hospitals lack basic equipment.
I once met a father in a rural community who lost his child because there was no functioning ambulance to take them to the hospital. The funds meant for healthcare had been misappropriated, and what should have been a life-saving service was nonexistent. He looked at me with tears in his eyes and said, “If the money they steal could bring my child back, I would forgive them all.” This is the real cost of corruption—human lives, shattered dreams, and a cycle of suffering that persists because of greed and impunity.
“The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people,” another proverb warns. When funds meant for infrastructure, education, healthcare, or social welfare are siphoned away through corruption, it is not just a loss to the ruling government—it is a loss to the entire country. Hospitals lack beds, roads remain impassable, and students sit under trees for lessons—not because of a lack of resources, but because of corruption and mismanagement. “A river that forgets its source will soon run dry.” If we continue on this path, we will lose even the little we have left.
Ghana First, Always
Ghana is bigger than any political party. If we truly want to develop, we must stop politicizing crime and corruption. It is time to fight fraud, mismanagement, and injustice not for political points, but for the future of our nation. The moment we begin to see corruption as a collective enemy rather than a political tool, we take the first real step toward a better Ghana.
Let us demand accountability. Let us support reforms that bring transparency. Let us hold our leaders responsible—not because of the party they belong to, but because it is the right thing to do. “A leader who does not listen to his people will eventually be surrounded by silence.” Ghana deserves better, and it starts with us.
A Call to Action – What Will It Take for Us to Act?
How many more children must die from cholera before we demand accountability? How many more ghost names will drain our resources before we say enough? What kind of future are we building if our children must choose between fetching water and going to school? If we cannot trust those in power to protect our most vulnerable, who can we trust?
“The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.” – If we do not instill values of integrity in our homes, corruption will continue to thrive.
Let me leave you with a story of hope. In a small village in the Volta Region, the community came together to build their own borehole. They pooled their meager resources, contributed labor, and refused to wait for a government that had forgotten them. Today, their children no longer walk miles for water. They drink clean water, attend school regularly, and dream of a brighter future. This is the power of collective action.
If a small village can rise above its challenges, why can’t we, as a nation, rise above corruption? Why can’t we unite to demand better for ourselves and future generations? The fight against corruption is not just the government’s responsibility—it is ours. It is the responsibility of every Ghanaian who believes in justice, fairness, and the promise of a better tomorrow.
“A single hand cannot lift a heavy log.” – We must unite to bring change. Let us be the generation that says, “Enough is enough.” Let us be the generation that puts Ghana first, always. The time to act is now.
What Can We Do? Calls to Action
Demand Accountability: Ask tough questions. Transparency is not a privilege; it is a right. Support Anti-Corruption Initiatives: Back reforms that promote integrity. Report Corruption: Use hotlines, online platforms, and legal avenues to expose wrongdoing. Vote Wisely: Your vote is a powerful tool for change—use it wisely.
A Future Worth Fighting For
Ghana is not defined by its challenges but by its resilience. We have overcome colonialism, economic hardships, and social upheavals. Corruption and crime are not insurmountable—they are battles we can win if we stand together.
Let us rise above politics, unite as one nation, and build a Ghana where every child has clean water, every farmer can sell his crops, and every citizen can trust their leaders. The time to act is now. Ghana first, always.
#Puobabangna
By Victor Raul Puobabangna Plance from Eggu in the Upper West Region of Ghana
