BE A REBEL

A life well lived has become secondary or is it tertiary? A people concerned about just their welfare and not anybody else's welfare is the prevailing phenomenon. A world where the dollar is the standard. A world where the only time respect is assured is when you're wealthy. Listen to these words on a song ..."Money is speaking(2), any idea waiting( 2)...(Lyrics from the song Gongo Aso, one Nigerian tune). A world that has swept morals underneath the carpet but expecting the right ways of living. This has created a huge challenge to anyone who tries to do right. I dare you, try doing good or living right for a day and the response will be in varied forms; from loosing friends, a handful of annoying monikers from people, earning "little" financially, being victimised, praised by a handful of disciplined men and so on . It is increasingly becoming difficult to stand for right. Is it not interesting that the preachers of right practise not right? On various platforms, we are always admonished to uphold what's right. Is it not common to hear people mock one who occupies a high position yet "poor"? Is it not common to receive enormous pressure from the same people whom you were sworn in to protect to help do wrong? I have lived for just two decades and something in years but have seen some political appointees/civil servants retire the same way they came in( seen this in Navrongo). Instead of applause, they're constantly ridiculed for returning from the "gold mine" with no gold. Apparently society expecting the single person to have taken as much gold for himself and his family. Albeit the gold, our common property.Their children may not understand why they are not living in luxury like the others. Some wives will nag for the rest of their stay together on planet earth. Pardon me for my gender bias, women. I guess you understand why it is so. This is where it gets complicated and interesting too. What do we seek?? We complain when we are shortchanged yet we shamelessly encourage the rot in the system. It's the hard truth; Ghana's future is bleak and for Ghana to develop...well that most certainly may just be a future impossible occurrence. The country has developed a certain culture that's problematic. The fact that we seem unserious with all the problems engulfing us. We seem to careless if we are to individually benefit but the whole nation suffers. Most Ghanaians by virtue of the position you occupy,

expect a certain lifestyle from you.In the public space, it is somewhat seen as the way things ought to be. And we often hear from us, "we are not saying don't chop oo but just don't do it too much". Pathetic!!! They at times go proverbial, that is everyone feasts at his/her work place.Therefore, hakuna matata.But we need worry because it is retrogressive to say the least. I, with others want a reorientation of the mind, to thinking of a new way of living that takes cognizance of the collective interest. I am searching really hard to get to the root cause of individualism in our country. We were known to love the extended family which promoted, being each others keeper. What went wrong? Our current freedom and goodies we enjoy all came from us. Yes, the struggle of our forefathers who were selfless. The struggle of our forefathers who knew they had to prepare a better Ghana for us. Unto us, resources and the right environment bequeathed. If you cannot make Ghana better, you should not make it worse. All the great men we talk about were rebels. Talk about Jesus Christ, Mahatma Gandhi, Luther King Jr, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, just to mention but few. They all rebelled against systems that were anti proper growth and development. They refused to cower amidst the unfavorable zeitgeist. They overlooked their interest for the national. Working day and night knowing they could overcome all the evil and rot that had engulfed their people. Some died young but left what for a lifetime, most cannot match. Not with weapons but effectual. They acted lawfully. This rebellion I suggest, is a similar one. An overthrow of not a John Dramani government, but a total overthrow of everything that encumbers our progress. A change mentally, behaviourally and attitudinally. I often say, many desire that Ghana develops but few are committed to this course. Our journey has been bereft of men who value values. Our structure we inhabit is wonky: the prevailing opinion. Change is needed: consensual. Commitment on our part: little and cosmetic or nonexistent. In our quest to move ahead, we need strong men with hearts like that of Arsenal diehards. Immune to disappointments and never stopping no matter what. The problem at hand has always been a human one .Most of us are stealing, so who catches who for who to prosecute? This rebellion like all of its ilk, will not go without stiff opposition. To wit,one has to know what should carry one through. Every rebelling should cause a division of some sort. It should destabilze a system. It should cause fear. Just like Jesus Christ says, "I came to set the earth on fire and how I wish it were already kindled!" (Luke 12: 49). He continues, "Do you suppose that I came to bring peace. No, not peace, but division"(Luke 12: 51). I am therefore inviting you to join me set Ghana on fire, destabilize the system and knock all evil out!! In sum, be a REBEL.!!! ARISE GHANA YOUTH.