By Henry Atta NYAME
There is a reggae song I dearly love by Bob Marley titled: Who the cap fits, let them wear it. The song teaches important values such as humility, honesty, and integrity.
If you listen carefully to its message, you will understand the danger of accepting what does not belong to you and taking credit for what you have not earned.
Unfortunately, this appears to be happening more often in our world today.
What happens when a society rewards people who lie and cheat while neglecting those who are honest? When dishonesty is praised and truth is ignored, the very foundation of society begins to weaken. The consequences may not be immediate, but when they emerge, they can be devastating.
The world witnessed such a consequence when Olympic champion Marion Jones lost her medals, reputation, and honour after admitting to the use of performance-enhancing drugs. In 2007, she confessed to doping before the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games and lying to investigators. As a result, she was stripped of all five Olympic medals and sentenced to prison. Her downfall remains a powerful reminder that dishonest gains do not last forever.
Local realities
In Ghana, dishonesty appears to be gradually becoming normalised.
Do you remember that during the COVID-19 pandemic, some traders drastically increased the prices of essential items such as nose masks and hand sanitisers. Yet when the pandemic subsided, the same products were sold at much lower prices. Many people were surprised to discover that the price of one nose mask during the pandemic could later buy several masks. This raised concerns about profiteering during a time of national hardship.
A popular Ghanaian proverb says, “Okuku seku, onipa hu ye hu. Suro nipa na gyae saman,” which reminds us to be cautious in our dealings with people. The proverb also highlights the importance of honesty and integrity.
Sadly, many people today seem unafraid to pursue dishonest gain. Reports from Public Accounts Committee sittings have often revealed cases where individuals allegedly manipulated systems, provided false information, or misused public resources for personal benefit without considering the damage caused to society.
According to the 2025 Corruption Perceptions Index, Ghana scored 43 out of 100 and ranked 76th out of 182 countries. The report pointed to weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws and slow reforms, suggesting that corruption remains a significant challenge.
In the job market, some people secure employment through money, influence, or personal connections, while qualified individuals remain unemployed. Years ago, several staff members of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) were dismissed after investigations revealed that they possessed fake academic certificates. Incidents such as these make many people question whether honesty is still rewarded.
Dishonesty is also evident in the housing sector, where some landlords demand excessive rent advances from desperate tenants. In some markets, traders use harmful chemicals to improve the appearance of food products, putting consumers’ health at risk.
Even some religious spaces are not free from exploitation. Certain individuals commercialise religion by selling “anointing” items and promising miracles in exchange for money, taking advantage of vulnerable people searching for hope.
Dishonest gain behaves like a disease. If left unchecked, it weakens the moral fabric of society and gradually makes cheating appear normal. Today, many people desire success “by hook or by crook,” leading to broken trust, financial losses, and declining moral standards.
Call for integrity
Former Chief Justice Georgina Theodora Wood once warned that dishonesty and division continue to hinder Ghana’s development. According to her, integrity and honesty are essential in both public and private life.( Citinewsroom.com, 2015)
Combating dishonest gain is not the responsibility of a few people alone. It requires strong institutions, fair enforcement of laws, and a personal commitment to integrity from every citizen.
The future of Ghana depends not on how quickly we rise, but on how honestly we rise. Our nation must not only succeed; it must succeed with honour.
The Bible reminds us in Luke 12:15: “Beware of covetousness, for a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”
Henry is an Institutional Assessment Practitioner
The post Dishonest gains: a dangerous new normal appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.
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