Honour, a important ingredient in Ghana’s improvement trajectory
The Hebrew phrase for Honour is “kavod”, which suggests give it the correct weight. We want to provide the correct weight to different individuals, selections and so forth. Honour governs the best way we work together with one another. Difference between Honour and Respect.
Respect is giving reverence to somebody as a result of he/she meets your requirements. Honour is giving reverence to somebody whether or not he/she meets your requirements you proceed to revere that particular person.
Honour is an summary idea inseparable from human society and human civilization. For most societies, we are likely to imagine that having good legal guidelines, that are effectively policed and an environment friendly market is all we have to thrive. In Edward Gibbon’s ebook The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, it’s aptly captured that the gradual lack of civic virtues made the decline potential.
Taking a important have a look at Chinese historical past, one will discover that in the course of the Qin Dynasty based by Qin Shi Huang marked the tip of the warring states, when numerous states used to battle for dominance. He managed to unify China, and laid the inspiration for China’s future dynasty. He adopted legalism because the guiding philosophy, emphasizing strict legal guidelines and harsh punishment to take care of order.
However, this era was short-lived and it collapsed in 206 BCE. The Han dynasty based by Liu Bang (later Emperor Gaozu) adopted the Qin dynasty. Historians attribute this era to the golden age of Chinese civilization. The Han dynasty was primarily based on civic virtues (Confucius ideas) mixed with some parts of legalism. This was the interval the Chinese territory expanded, and the silk commerce routes developed. These routes may go so far as India, and the Roman Empire. This interval lasted far longer than the Han dynasty. Today the Chinese individuals confer with themselves because the “Han ethnicity”, underscoring the dynasty’s lasting affect.
Clearly, in a nation’s improvement, historical past has proven that civic virtues are what can guarantee the expansion and sustainability of the nation. Where are we in Ghana? From the 2024 Afrobarometer report, belief in key state establishments and officers has seen a significant drop. It additionally signifies a troubling erosion of public belief in important establishments together with the judiciary, tax authorities, the presidency, and parliament with heightened skepticism in direction of officers perceived as corrupt.
I had a dialog with a bunch of tertiary college students and requested the query: What is the Ghanaian dream? The entire class shouted to go away the nation. Clearly, a few of our younger individuals are disillusioned with the present trajectory of our nation. We have positioned a heavy emphasis on our structure as our social contract. We are all seeing the present happenings in parliament. Despite the ruling of the Supreme Court, the events concerned nonetheless have reservations.
Clearly belief appears to have been damaged someplace. In China at present, the legislation is subservient to the principles of correct behaviour (Confucius ideas). Whenever, they’ve points in China with the legislation, the legislation offers strategy to the principles of correct behaviour.
What are our nationwide values in Ghana? We have completely different ethnicities with values throughout the board. However, now we have not codified our nationwide values. This is one thing the National House of Chiefs and the Council of State should be involved about. We want a codified nationwide worth that ought to information us as a nation.
As I said at first of this write-up, the autumn of the Roman Empire was resulting from a decline in civic virtues. We want to stop a fall in Ghana. We want a acutely aware effort to uphold our nationwide values now or by no means. An Honour motion might be important to our nationwide survival. As was mentioned by Pope Francis: Every saint has a previous, and each sinner has a future. We can all transfer on and change into saints with time.
Let us all the time bear in mind these Spanish phrases: “Vale la Pena”, which means it’s worthwhile. It is all the time worthwhile to perform a little good.
Written by Dr Emmanuel Odame, Chairman Honour Ghana
Email: [email protected]
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