Corruption is a Continental Canker – Educate Africa

Mr. William Boadi, the Founder and CEO of Educate Africa Institute, has expressed a grim assessment of corruption, labeling it a deeply entrenched continental issue that remains pervasive in Ghana and across Africa.

He contends that this complex problem is woven into the fabric of society, transmitted from one generation to the next, making eradication challenging.

Speaking on Opemsuo Radio’s Nkwantannanso with George Adjei on August 16, Mr Boadi likened the prevalence of corruption to a “continental canker” in Africa. He pointed out that even in subtle ways, corruption’s seeds are sown early in life.

For instance, sending a child to purchase cigarettes while instructing them that the act is not virtuous sends a mixed message.

He further criticized the recent incident of examination malpractice involving teachers who provided answers to students during the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). He argued that such practices indirectly endorse unethical behaviour, conveying the message that it is acceptable to cheat or engage in corrupt acts.

He drew a correlation between examination malpractice and the broader issue of corruption, noting that the former serves as a breeding ground for the latter.

 “Examination malpractice is an indirect way of planting corruption.” 

In search of solutions, Mr Boadi suggested a radical approach inspired by Kuwait’s punitive measures: severing the hands of those found guilty of theft. While acknowledging the severity of such an approach, he contended that adopting stringent measures could deter potential wrongdoers and possibly reduce the incidence of corruption.

“It is difficult to eradicate corruption from Ghana unless we adopt what Kuwait does by cutting off the hands of those who steal. If we employ that method, those engaging in corrupt activities will either stop or their numbers will reduce,” he said.

Story by Adwoa S. Danso