What Ghanaian Politicians Must Learn from Ashesi University

Honor Code: What Ghanaian Politicians Must Learn from Ashesi University


The eminent philosopher and writer, Professor Anthony Kwame Appiah, son of the late politician, perennial Presidential candidate and lawyer, Mr. Joe Appiah, showed in his book, "HONOR CODE – HOW MORAL REVOLUTIONS HAPPEN (2010. W.W Norton & Company Inc.)," how honor propelled moral revolution in the past and could do so in the future. Kwame Appiah's book discusses the need for persons in power and authority to realize the obligation to live up to the honor, trust and respect expected of them. In the context of our national leaders and other officials, the caliber of persons who make key decisions is of interest. Who determines the criteria for selecting persons qualified for public positions? Do the most qualified persons get key jobs? Who evaluates the work of public officials? Do public officials realize the import of the oath they take? (Reflect on the text of most of our national oaths, before The Chief Justice, Justices of the courts, commissions of enquiry, etc.) The assumption is that having persons who adhere to honor codes established and endorsed by society would lead to emergence of a class of leaders and officials who are aware of their obligations to be beyond reproach in their dealings and to perform to exact professional standards.

Kwame Appiah duly traces some of the misapplications of honor codes in different parts of the world, but he also makes an argument for the case to consistently reform and review the codes to ensure they do not get out of hand. The use of honor to sustain values and respect must be a good thing. So, on the one hand, we honor great performers, and on the other hand, the honor accorded them must compel them to not want to lose the trust and respect of the people.

What then is Honor Code? It is a code that governs behavior within a specific community. It typically dictates specific behaviors that are not acceptable, setting an example for members of the community to follow.

Honor code does not support academically dishonest behavior. If you're concerned about what constitutes academic dishonesty we encourage you to speak with your professor.

Plagiarism, a portrayal of another’s work or ideas as one’s own, is a serious academic misbehavior. It includes:
Buying a paper off the internet and turning it in as if it were your own work
-- Improperly citing references on works already cited on a webpage or within the text of a paper.
Cheating: Using unauthorized notes or study aids, allowing another party to do one’s work/exam as one’s own, or submitting the same or similar work in more than one course without permission from the course instructors.
--Taking an exam for another person
--Looking off another person’s exam for answers
--Bringing and using unauthorized notes during an exam.

Fabrication: Falsification or creation of data, research, or resources; or altering a graded work without the prior consent of the course instructor.
--Making up a reference for works cited page
--Making up statistics or facts for academic work

Aid of Academic Dishonesty: Intentionally facilitating plagiarism, cheating, or fabrication.
--Helping another person do a take home exam
--Giving answers to an exam
--Collaborating with others on work that is supposed to be completed independently

Lying: Deliberate falsification with the intent to deceive in written or in verbal form as it applies to an academic submission.

Bribery: Providing, offering, or taking rewards in exchange for a grade, an assignment, or the aid of academic dishonesty.
--Paying a student to do work on your behalf
--Attempting to pay a teacher to change a grade

Threat: An attempt to intimidate a student, staff, or faculty member for the purpose of receiving an unearned grade or in an effort to prevent the reporting of an Honor Code violation.

Resubmission: Completing original work for one class and then resubmitting the work, in full or in part, to another class without permission from both instructors and/or without proper citation.

Ashesi University is one of the few institutions in Ghana which strictly adhere to the honor code. This ranges from models of behavior to dress code. Indeed, Ashesi University deserves special mention for the strict observance of the honor code which they inculcate into the students to behave honorably while adopting a no tolerance attitude. In Ashesi University, examinations have no invigilators because all students adhere to the honor code. Any student who attempts to cheat is taken on immediately by the other students and the person involved is reported to the authorities. Accountability, self-respect and truth are high among students of Ashesi University.

As said earlier on, all students of Ashesi University are required to sign all papers with the honor code as an affirmation of the core beliefs that underpin the academic environment. One would wish the government in power, all para-statal and both public and private institutions would do the same by signing to the honor code. Those appointed to positions as ministers, diplomats and top chief executive positions are made to swear or pledge selfless service to the state devoid of lies, cheating and corruption. We all bear witness to the fact that all the pledges they make, later become empty pledges and they begin to swim in all those vices they pledged to abstain from.

How and why? It is simply because Ghanaians have accepted and embraced the idea that bribery is okay (to give or to receive). Civil servants abandon their posts or duties to pursue their own interests. Authorities are always either in partnership or fully running own businesses which is not permitted by the law (constitution). They often channel contracts to relatives, friends or close affiliates, abusing the system and there is vivid evidence of what I have observed in Ghana. Accepting gifts before or after a duty is performed, in Ghana, is widespread from the top (government) to the bottom (people). These and other factors are also my testimony.

Expertise and well trained professionals should be ashamed of taking advantage of their poor fellow citizens who are not capable of knowing that they are being unfairly treated or cheated.

A civilized person will rather use their knowledge and expertise to help the disadvantaged ones. That is what an expert has been trained and paid for. Do your duties efficiently without accepting gifts (bribes).

I mentioned earlier that the government allows and encourages these malpractices. Corrupt practices are pursued for own self gain and in order to acquire the lion's share. Blindfold and fool the people with excuses and divert the blame elsewhere mainly, back to the people.
It is the duty of the government to eradicate such damaging habits in the people by introducing and insisting that everyone in public position signs the honor code. Corruption brings the downfall of a nation, resulting in mass hardship and poverty which worsen the economy. If the government truthfully wants to curb or reduce corruption, there are so many ways she could implement. Here are few examples.

1. Let those in public position sign the honor code as this will encourage whistle blowers.
2. Protect anyone who reports such actions (bribery and other forms of corruption).
3. Educate the people about the consequences and the effect it has on the nation and the people. Such education must be done from the grassroots
4. Firm and disciplined measures must be in place. Any form of corruption in the nation (and her people) must be dealt with accordingly. No mercy, because no one is above the law.

The government and those appointed to public positions have a lot to learn from Ashesi University. The government must not depend on only the pledges given by those appointed to ministerial and chief executive positions but they should also be made to sign all relevant papers of the honor code. All those working in the ministries and other places must also sign it. When this action is taken, no one will feel reluctant or afraid to report incidents of cheating, financial mismanagement and corruption.

Written by: Stephen Atta Owusu
Author: DARK FACES AT CROSSROADS
Email:stephen.owusu@email.com