Change has come, but have attitudes changed?

The mantra of the current government of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) when it was campaigning for votes before the elections was “Change is coming”.

That has now changed to “Change has come” since the party came to power. Indeed, supporters of the NPP, as well as other Ghanaians who believe that the coming into power of the NPP will change their fortunes, have since taken up the new refrain.

TheDaily Graphic, however, wants to sound a word of caution to the public that the change that many people yearn for will not come on a silver platter or just because there is a change in government. Change will not come simply because of people’s wishful thinking but will ride on the people’s change in attitude or behaviour.

We find it amazing that the same Ghanaians who find everything wrong with city authorities trying to inject some sanity on the pavements along the streets, especially in the business districts, which have been taken over by hawkers, will hail other countries where pavements are left for pedestrians.

There are many Ghanaians living and working abroad. They dare not stay at home, even when there is heavy snowfall or blizzard. But when the same people come to Ghana, they use the slightest drizzle as an excuse to be absent from work.

Been-tos and citizens who frequent abroad speak of the order and cleanliness that exist in the countries they visit, yet they throw litter about indiscriminately when they come back home and cry wolf when there is an attempt by law enforcement agencies to ensure a clean and sane environment.

Of course, corruption exists in one form or another in many countries, but blatantly stashing away the people’s money in foreign banks and using all sorts of means to rip off the taxpayer will not bring about the change that we all so earnestly desire.

Most of the money used by governments for development comes from taxes and other levies on goods, services and the incomes of the working masses.

So any attempt by an individual, through intellectual dishonesty, to rob the entire nation will definitely not bring about the massive improvement of our lot as we desire.

Unpatriotic acts such as illegal mining, commonly referred to as ‘galamsey’, only end up making us poorer and vulnerable, as they destroy our water bodies and land that otherwise can be used for meaningful development.

Drivers decide to be reckless on the roads, thereby destroying both lives and property because they know they can easily bribe policemen who accost them.

Others believe that working in the public service means that one can be dishonest or afford to do the work anytime and anyhow, since salaries will be paid at the end of the month, whether work has been done or not.

While we share the view that we must make systems and institutions work, as they pertain elsewhere, we believe that we need to change our mindset if we are to make any headway in our economic development in the next four years and beyond.

We must change the way we think or behave, whether we are selfemployed, employed by a privateperson or the government. We must be diligent in our work, faithful in the little things we do and committed to Ghana.

If we don’t and continue in our antisocial and unpatriotic acts, we can be rest assured that the change that we believe has come will only remain a fleeting dream and an illusion.