We can build a society of integrity – Collins Arhin
“Ghana is in short supply of men and women of integrity, but it is never too late to turn things around by doing what needs to be done. We can build the honest society we all desire if we come together with a common purpose.”
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Those were the words of Collins Arhin, the 35-year-old young man whose kind deed in returning GH₵2,400 someone’s left behind in a taxi early on this year brought him enormous rewards, as he announced the launching of a project to help inculcate the virtues of integrity, honesty and transparency particularly among the youth.
Speaking passionately about the need to straighten society and why the youth should desire to live a daily life of integrity, Collins said while there is much blessing in leading an upright life, it is also much simpler, nearly effortless if one so determines.
Briefing newsmen on his intended launch in mid-December 2014 of the Integrity Advocacy Network, Collins Arhin, along with some members of the non-governmental organisation, said in spite of the widely acclaimed religious nature of the Ghanaian, the scorecard on the battle against corruption in the society does not look too good.
“Unemployment is uncontrollably on the increase, the menace of poverty is escalating and very soon the majority of the people who are poor can no more guarantee the safety of the few who are rich. Social unrest will follow and our dear nation's hard earned stability shall painfully erode,” he counselled.
According to Collins, from his life-changing encounter with the money he helped return to the owner (and he insists he was merely doing what he thought was the most normal and right thing to do), he has come to learn of the stories of several others who have even done greater works of integrity in the society but who have been shunned or branded as stupid, just as he initially suffered from a pal.
“I think we need to encourage such people rather so that they can teach others to emulate the integrity lifestyle. It is what the society requires, each one being the brother’s keeper.”
According to Collins and other members of the Integrity Advocacy Network, they plan to visit schools to tell their good-inspiring stories and help establish branches of the NGO to help members win the morality battle and impart same to their peers.
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Collins had desired a loan of GH₵800 from a friend to enable him settle the outstanding rent to his landlord and while on his way for the loan, he chanced upon GH₵2,400 a passenger had left behind. He caused an announcement on radio in order to get to the owner, which deed cost him the loan he sought as the friend denied him on the grounds that he had acted foolishly by failing to recognize God’s intervention in his situation.
As it turned out, Collins, a Social Science graduate of the University of Education, Winneba, bagged far in excess of GH₵10,000 in cash donations from people who heard his courageous deed, and he is soon to become a landlord as a real estate company helps him to build a house, currently at the ‘lintel level’.