CORRUPTION. What is corruption, and how do we go about curbing it? The Websters New Explorer Student Dictionary Third Edition, gives the following definition: (1) Dishonest or illegal behavior (corruption in politics). (2) The process of causing someone else to do something wrong. (3) The act of changing or damaging something. Based on the above definition, readers will agree with me that corruption is eating deep into the fabric of our society. It transcends from the executive arm of government right down to the people cleaning the offices; from State House onto our boarders. It is now a norm in our society, since many people indulge in it. There is a numbness of conscience by those who practice and perpetuate corruption. Over a period, they develop a strong feeling of entitlement derived from their illegal gains. To such ones that are up to their eyes and ears in corruption, getting them to believe that there are honest and reputable people in the same society, is like trying to pass a camel through a needles eye. To them, corruption is a way of life. The epidemic of corruption is further enhanced by the enablers;those who benefit directly or indirectly from the practice. Those are the ones that are belligerent. They will stoutly and robustly defend and protect their corrupt kinsmen and benefactors.. Corruption is one of the major causes for the stagnation of our country. With over 50 years of independence, we are worse off in every sphere of development. While other third world countries are competing with industrialized nations of the west, we continue to regress at an alarming rate. We have been named lately, as one of the most corrupt countries of the world. What a stigma! Hmmmmmmmm! We are the city of darkness. Our education is sliding at an all time low. The life span of Sierra Leoneans has shrunken to a scary 46 years. Hmmmmmmmmm! Most Sierra Leoneans go to bed on empty stomachs everyday. The youth are confused and at a loss since there is nothing left for them to hope and live for. The future is grim for most Sierra Leoneans as a result of the incorrigible corrupt practices of those in governance. Seemingly, they dont care as long as they are comfortably wrapped up in the laps of their ill -gotten wealth. Our country can be likened to a rudderless ship in the Pacific Ocean. A ship that is being battered by the fiercest waves of corruption, albeit from all directions. A ship that is in the verge of sinking and everyone in it to perish. How do we rescue this battered and sinking ship? Nobody is born corrupt. Corruption is learned and mastered over the years. Since it is learned, so can it also be unlearned. This is where we need help. To seek that help, we must first muster the courage to admit that we are a diseased nation; that our government is corrupt and remedial measures administered fast. Lets keep in mind that we are all on a mission to rescue that battered ship. I will opinionize a few remedies as follows: (1) We can ask our former colonial masters, Britain, to come again to our aid as they are indeed doing now in the case of the ebola; to help us by providing teachers from Scotland Yard to retrain our civil servants and politicians to unlearn the corrupt practices that they have nurtured over the years. (2) To ask Scotland Yard and Sandhurst to provide trainers for our police, military and prison officers. Does the name Keith Biddle ring a bell? He left what we thought could have been an indelible mark in the police force but has shamefully eroded since our brothers took over from him. (3) The judiciary needs an overhaul too, with upright men, legal minded and courageous to interpret the law without fear or favour or interference from Above. Non partisan judges; judges who know that they too will be judged not only by society but by their creator who is the ultimate judge. (4) Replace all the senior members of the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), with technocrats of both legal and accounting expertise. Such personnel should be aided by canines to help them sniff out the corrupt elements. (5) The NRA, NASSIT, and NPA should also be headed by Scotland Yard personnel. (6) Yearly reviews should be made to assess growth and returns emanating from the implementation of the above measures. If positive, should be sustained until the retrained civil servants can take over again. (7) Penalty for corruption must be stiff. It should also include the confiscation of property, money in local and foreign banks and long jail terms. 20 years for first offenders and life in penitentiary for repeat offenders.
Posted on: Mon, 05 Jan 2015 19:07:37 +0000
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