Spirit of patriotism scarce in Ghana - Rawlings

Former President Flt Lt Jerry John Rawlings has called for a paradigm shift in Ghanaians’ approach to patriotism, saying most Ghanaians concede there is a scarcity of patriotism in the country, with selfishness and the desire for money and power taking precedence over love for country.

“Today we seek money so we can have power and then proceed to lord it over the vulnerable in society. Selfishness is now a proud asset and patriotism seen as the pursuit of people without ambition,” he said.

The former President speaking at the 20th anniversary of the Millennium Excellence Foundation at the Great Hall, Kumasi on Friday, December 11, 2015 said the octane level in the country was high, and called on Ghanaians to focus on doing what was right for society, community and country..

Ghanaians, Rawlings said, are quick to join the chorus when there is talk of corruption and accountability but wondered how many Ghanaians have not played a part in the deterioration of the basic moral fabric of society.

He said political impunity and financial tyranny have become the order of the day coupled with selective justice and double standards in global affairs have seriously dented the exercise of morality in international relations.

"What we see around us, the greed, the thievery, the fraud, the lies, is not peculiar to government and state institutions. It is a societal issue and has to be confronted head on by all. Even some of our traditional leaders play significant roles in perpetrating fraud on our people and sometimes on investors who mean well for our country. How often nowadays do we hear harrowing stories of multiple sale of lands, arming of land guards to intimidate persons with genuine land title deeds and rich land for agriculture being sold to persons who put up concrete structures for easy commercial gain at the expense of Ghana’s medium to long term agricultural and economic sustainability," he noted.

He said: “Although there are less guilty ones, there is also the guilt of silence, the guilt of inaction.”

The former President added that "The new wave of global violence referred to as terrorism shows how man’s insensitivity to man can lead to a violent upheaval almost impossible to contain and control. Even as the world empathizes and sympathizes with innocent victims of terrorist action all over the world, the world also supports the fight against terrorism."

He, however, indicated that "Ghana needs a paradigm shift and the onus lies on us to effect that shift."