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Opinions of Wednesday, 22 July 2009

Columnist: MP

Who Told You That Corruption Is Wrong?

Every now and then, when we gather to talk about Ghana's current state of affairs and issues affecting our beloved country, the very first question which comes in mind is always about, how do we eradicate corruption or similar acts of it from our country altogether? To some of us corruption means all things ugly, retrogressive and anti-social. Therefore the earlier its death bed, the better for our country to live, prosper and progress. Indeed if this country is going to go somewhere, she needs to part ways with corruption and set her priorities straight. At least that's what some of us say and prefer.

Personally, I don't have a thing against corruption. And why? Because I'm corrupt to the bone and so are you. Unfortunately, the very nature of all mankind is corrupt and this is a known fact. As a matter of fact, the nature of all things under the sun is to survive by all means necessary. And all means necessary means all means necessary, which means either right or wrong. Our survival instincts as human species transcend every moral order. Objectively speaking, there is no good or bad, right or wrong until we choose. And the choices which you and I make are driven by our innate need or compulsion to survive.In essence, every action or inaction is based on survival.

For example, a man of truth would not lie that easily. But if by lying he would be able to save his own life, or even the life of someone whom holds so dear from going under, I bet you he would lie. A woman of virtue might not necessary engage in prostitution, but she would, if there are no alternative means available to make ends meat for herself. A proper student who doesn't experiment with drugs, might consider taking drugs. Especially, if it would help him get the best degree from university so and so. A woman might not necessary love her husband nor a husband his wife to be in marriage. But as long as both of them are receiving whatever from each other with satisfaction, they are never going to split. These examples might seem opportunistic to some, but they all fall under the need to survive category.

Selfishness is mostly judged by the selfless amongst us as something really bad. However a selfish person is never out of love with himself/herself. A selfish person cares and shares just as much as a selfless person does. The only difference between a selfish and a selfless person are the words care and share, and their separate interpretation to both of them. In other words, there are some of us who act selfish to survive, whilst others do act selfless to survive as well.

You see, life could be as corrupt, selfish/selfless, cruel/kind, receiving or giving as life wants or desires to be, but life is always organized. The Western nations didn't progress because they are less or more corrupt than us. They progressed because they are better organized in everything than us. Therefore the secret to our success as a nation, wouldn't depend on how well we succeed in fighting corruption, but on how well we organize ourselves as a nation to play as a team. In short, corruption is borne out of a necessary need by the human to survive come rain or shine. We could choose to survive either alone or together, but which or whatever you choose, you're right.