The recent exam malpractice in Ghana is a reflection of the society we are building. Cheat your way to university, through university and after university. But now, the brazen confidence with which these students consider ‘apor’ their right and thus protest against strict invigilation is a new low.

Are we then any surprised at the poor quality of graduates our universities churn out or the level of corruption we see in government and civil service? And yet we are some of the most religious and superstitious creatures on the planet.

This exam malpractice also underscores the premium we have placed on grade-based formal education systems at the expense of moral and cultural values. There seem to be a new ethos of ‘the end justifies the means’ and value on material riches regardless of how it was earned (Prov 16:8).

The phenomenon of #papano #slayqueens #sakawa (internet fraud) are a reflection of the eroding cultural values of hard-work, perseverance and accountability. We no longer question how an unemployed person could afford an expensive lifestyle.

Rather we consider these ones as ‘smart’- and offer them the platforms, and then celebrate them, ignoring those who are diligently making strides in academia, arts, business, enterprise etc.

Our media invite these ones to speak on every matter from Archaeology to Witchcraft. The educative and analytical programmes we grew up on now invite uninformed but popular persons because that will give them the most views.

But who will speak against these things? Who cares to set a new trend? Who cares to lead the charge to return to the values that brought us this far? Who cares to put out examples that our younger ones can look up to?

Who cares to create a platform for young people who desire to excel to learn from older ones? What kind of Ghana are we building?

By S. Dare