Professor Rexford Assasie Oppong, Dean of the International Programmes Office (IPO) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), has attributed Ghana’s underdevelopment to unethical behavior and lawlessness of Ghanaians, especially leaders. According to Professor Assasie Oppong, lawlessness persists because many people in leadership positions are ethically bankrupt, and as a result do not have the capacity to change things.
Professor Assasie Oppong spoke to Irene Sakyiwaa-Siaw of the University Relations Office (URO) about his campaign on ethical life.
In an exclusive interview, the former Chairperson of the Council of Convocation, said the developed nations, keep progressing because they respect rules. “We can only make a headway if we stick to rules and implement them, then sanity will prevail, and everyone will be happy”, he added.
Using himself as an example, he stated that he had tried as much as possible to be disciplined, to show ethical values to the best of his abilities. “In growing up I realised that if you try to show that kind of ethical values, try to be disciplined and do things differently from what majority are doing in a good way, you become the odd one. Sometimes it appears it is bad upholding ethical values, the question is: if I am disciplined and I do not do bad things, why must I be seen as the bad person and be called names?” he added.
Professor Assasie Oppong shared experiences from reports and complaints to him on issues and things going on in public institutions, including the University, but officially remain largely unreported. He said if issues remain unreported and not exposed for people to be named and shamed, the rate of corruption in the country will continue to the detriment of future generation.
Professor Assasie Oppong stated that people should learn to build the resilience and capacity to uphold moral and ethical values in order to avoid succumbing to the pressures of corruption and unethical behaviours.
It is in the light of the foregoing that the idea of EthicaLife Foundation was birthed to be a bedrock for people to discuss and publicly expose evils in society and shame the culprits to deter others. EthicaLife is a non-profit, non-governmental foundation championed by Professor Assasie Oppong as a medium to help fight corruption and other social vices in Ghana. He acknowledged, it is a daunting task but believed ‘every canker is curable no matter how long it takes’.
He welcomed any persons who would like to be part and support the Foundation. The EthicaLife campaign is targeted at the youth, because they are the future of the country. The campaign would be taken to schools, churches and group organisations to sensitise the public to appreciate ethics and moral values. In addition, EthicaLife Foundation will help educate Ghanaians through lectures, symposia, workshops as well as radio and television interviews.
He noted that members automatically become Ambassadors of ethical behaviours. The group will also support people who are attacked for speaking the truth or exposing wrong doings wherever they find themselves.
He stated that corruption affects everyone, and no one should suffer for telling the truth and living morally upright. He quoted Plato thus “Truth will not make us rich, but it will make us free”; and indicated that to be ethically upright, means that one might lose many friends, but you will have peace. He added that honest work brings natural rewards and peace of mind, basically that is what EthicaLife Foundation stands for.
In conclusion, he called for support from the University community and the country at large to make the needed impact. He believes that the same way one bad nut can affect good ones, the reverse is also true.