“A good name is better than precious ointment.” — Ecclesiastes 7:1
In the marketplace of life—whether in business, politics, public service, or even among friends and families—the one currency more valuable than gold is integrity. It is the moral compass that steadies the ship when storms of temptation, greed, or self-interest threaten to knock us off course.
Yet today, we are witnessing a troubling erosion of this compass. From boardrooms to classrooms, pulpits to parliaments, there’s a creeping disregard for principles and ethics. The effects are stark: public mistrust, collapsing institutions, social decay, and fractured relationships.
So, why does ethics matter? And why must we hold truthfulness and fairness as sacrosanct in all that we do?
The True Test of Character
A story is told of a carpenter who, after decades of loyal service, told his employer he was retiring. His boss asked him to build one last house. Reluctantly, the carpenter agreed but cut corners—using substandard materials and sloppy workmanship. When the house was finished, his boss handed him the keys.
“This is your house,” he said. “It’s my gift to you.”
That carpenter had only shortchanged himself. And so it is with life. Every lie we tell, every unfair advantage we take, every shortcut we grab, we are building a house we must live in.
Why Ethics Matter
Ethics isn’t just about morality—it’s about sustainability, reputation, and ultimately, legacy. When professionals act ethically, they build trust. And trust is the oil that keeps the engine of society running smoothly.
The Ghanaian proverb says:
“Nua ko na dua baako nti, na etua ne bo.”
(The tree that stands alone bears the cost of the wind.)
In other words, standing alone for what is right may cost you—but it also sets you apart. The whistleblower who risks their job to expose corruption, the civil servant who refuses a bribe, the journalist who tells the uncomfortable truth—they all stand alone. Yet in doing so, they hold society together.
Truth in a Time of Spin
We live in a world where truth is negotiable, and spin is often more valuable than sincerity. Some people have mastered the dark art of “tearing others down” to lift themselves. They weaponise gossip, manipulate facts, and sow division. Their words are poisoned arrows disguised as counsel.
But truth always finds a way to surface. As the late Kofi Annan said,
“If corruption is a disease, transparency is a central part of its treatment.”
And transparency starts with truthfulness—in our reports, in our dealings, in our hearts.
The High Cost of Unethical Living
Take a look around: once-respected leaders now disgraced; companies brought down by fraud; marriages broken by lies. The fall always comes, even if delayed.
“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.” — Galatians 6:7
We must understand that unethical behaviour is never without consequence. It leaves a trail of broken trust and damaged lives. Worse, it sets a bad example for the next generation.
Children learn not by what we preach, but by what we practice.
Building a Culture of Fairness
Fairness is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. When people feel they are treated fairly, they engage more, work harder, and build communities. When fairness disappears, cynicism takes its place.
In traditional African society, fairness was embedded in the palaver tree, where disputes were resolved openly and communally. Today, we have courts, HR departments, ombudsmen—but do they command the same moral authority?
“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.” — Benjamin Franklin
Each of us has a duty to speak out, not just when we are victims, but when anyone is.
Rise Above the Pull-Down Culture
The “pull-him-down” (PHD) syndrome is a persistent virus in our society. We see it in office politics, media smear campaigns, and even church cliques. It thrives on envy and insecurity. It is the enemy of collective progress.
When someone rises, the ethical response is not to undermine them—but to ask, how can I learn, support, or even improve myself too?
Nelson Mandela once remarked,
“Resentment is like drinking poison and then hoping it will kill your enemies.”
Let us rise above bitterness and jealousy. Let us build, not break.
Living by a Higher Standard
In business, it’s tempting to inflate figures, dodge taxes, or silence whistleblowers. In public life, it’s tempting to promise what we know we’ll never deliver. But these choices erode the soul—and the society.
“Blessed are those who act justly, who always do what is right.” — Psalm 106:3
What the world needs today are not just brilliant professionals or charismatic leaders—but ethical ones. People who can be trusted in the dark, not just applauded in the light.
In Conclusion
We must never underestimate the power of doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. It might not make headlines. It might not win elections. But it wins respect, and it builds legacy.
We must teach our children and remind ourselves daily: Principles are not negotiable. Truth is not outdated. Fairness is not optional.
Let us live in such a way that when our names are mentioned, others will say: “There goes an honourable person. A man or woman of integrity.”
Let us be the light that refuses to dim—no matter how dark the world gets.
