Addressing political decline: Quantson calls for patriotism
A Former National Security Co-ordinator, Kofi Bentum Quantson, has called for a return to patriotism and national values to address the moral and political decline threatening Ghana’s development.
He said the country’s major challenges stemmed from the loss of love for the nation and the erosion of traditional values that once defined Ghanaian identity.
“All our problems stem from the fact that we don’t love our country. If we love our country, we will not do the things we are doing,” Mr Quantson said.
“Be patriotic, protect our national assets and work for your country — that’s all,” he stated.
Book launch
Mr Quantson, who is also a former Director-General of the National Investigations Bureau (NIB), made the call in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA) at the launch of his latest book, “Ghana Politics: Some Harsh Words” in Accra last Friday.
In the 268-page book, the writer examines Ghana’s political and democratic landscape, raising concerns about corruption, indiscipline, poor leadership and “national hypocrisy” that undermines progress.
Through the 23 episodes, he offers a candid reflection on the country’s governance, national security and accountability gaps, while urging citizens to choose change through action and integrity.
Loss of values
Mr Quantson lamented the gradual but steady loss of the nation’s values and dignity, adding, “If you lose your dignity as a nation, you perish.”
He called for a collective return to honesty, hard work and national pride, which he described as “the values that make us Ghanaians.”
On Ghana’s political system, he argued that the country’s current democratic structure had deepened division and acrimony rather than promoting unity.
Architecture
Mr Quantson, who is also the founding Executive Secretary of the Narcotics Control Commission, stressed the need “to readjust our architecture.”
“The system we are running doesn’t suit us. It’s making us more divided and acrimonious.
We have to find what will suit us, and not the imposition of this Western ideology of democracy. It’s not working here,” he stated
Books
The launch of the book, Ghana Politics: Some Harsh Words, adds to the author’s extensive body of work on governance, ethics and national security. Some of his books include Bogus informants, Travelling and seeing-- Johnny just come, Security in the Hand of God: My Amazing Testimony, The fury of the prophet, Cocaine hits drug family-- mama, don't die, and Chapters from a career. - GNA
