Thursday 28 April 2016

A time for change: The fight against corruption is everyone’s fight


Image result for PEOPLE POWER AGAINST CORRUPTION PAPUA NEW GUINEA
By Busa Jeremiah Wenogo

As the momentum across the country builds up to demand the government to account for allegations of corruption leveled against them it’s important that every citizen in Papua New Guinea must understand that this is a battle for our future. It does not matter who you are or where you are from; if you consider yourself a patriot then this is the time you have to stand united with all concern Papua New Guineans to demand a new deal, a new destiny and a new future. If you are on the fence sooner or later you will have to decide whether to join the crusade or hop on the bandwagon of gluttony and indulgence. Whether you consider yourself a proponent of corruption or an ally, friend, compatriot, associate or colleague of those who promote corruption with their deeds; moral conviction should have your conscience troubled. The truth is that Goodness and Righteousness is universal so what is wrong cannot be made right. Those who use all means possible to prove otherwise are no different to Judas Iscariot.    

This country belongs to the 8-10 million Papua New Guineans who consider this country their home. No one person or group should hold this country to ransom. There should be a concerted effort from everyone to seek justice and recourse for the wrongs that have been done to our nation in the past and present by our government or foreign agents. The fight against a contagious and pervasive endemic such as corruption does not require a divided house of political wrangling but one built on the common voice of the commoners. Only this will restore the future of this country. There should be no room for regionalism, individualism and all forms of schisms that stand to divide us and derail the effort to reign in this “wild beast” called corruption that has caused havoc in all facets of life in PNG. Failure to stop its stampede has ensure that our national security is constantly being undermined, the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen even more and  our State of Union is in danger of being fragmented due to nepotism. Our allegiance should be to God, the Constitution and the people of this country and no one else. 

Governments come and governments go but not our freedom and liberty. As human beings we are bequeathed by God with these unique traits to reach the full potential of our humanity socially, spiritually and physically. What is the worth of forfeiting that which defines us as a people? There are countries who have suffered to enjoy the privilege of nationhood and sovereignty that we see withered away before our eyes by self-serving individuals and entities. Are we prepared to be our own worst enemy? What is life without God, a nation to call home, a national anthem to sing of our pride as a nation, a flag to fly our patriotism with pride and a constitution to defend our alienable rights? Should we be foxes with no foxholes or birds with no nest? 

PNG is yet to see a government that is truly of the people, for the people and by the people.  Every election is jeopardized by politicians and their hungry for power supporters. Power is snatched from the people and people feel powerless to seek justice. No government can absolutely say that they have been given mandate by the people. The truth is just about majority of elections are won through foul play and intimidation. As we prepare for the 2017 General election we should begin to think seriously of what we should do to make this election a “free and fair election”. Fighting corruption begins at the ballot box. Let’s defeat corruption at the ballot box. Before that we need to shake the establishment and send a clear message to the echelon of power that we the people mean business.  

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