The Independent State of Papua New Guinea just turned 36, and nationwide, proud citizens are celebrating 36 years of Independence.
Being independent means that one is not dependant. But from what?
Well, according to collective definitions of various dictionaries, being independent, in the case of a nation, means that the country is free from any outside control or influence. Essentially, the nations that had authority over Papua and New Guinea during the colonial era are no longer in the picture. PNG is now self-governing, enjoying freedom from exogenous influence.
So when you celebrate today or on every September 16, enjoy it, knowing that no nation can have influence and control over you regarding governance.
Freedom from exogenous control and influence does not mean an absence of endogenous control or influence.
One particular internal influence is currently on the lips of many Papua New Guineans! It probably existed in the immediate pre-independence era and has matured with time. Like a spider, it has constructed web into every major sectors, trapping them in its influence. It celebrates with all independence celebrations, and graduates with the birth of all generations. Cherished by the successful, and nourished by the wealthy powerful, it has flourished in all places.
It is the virus of corruption. Sad to say, PNG is not independent from its influence.
Corruption is the willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. It is a lack of integrity or honesty that makes one susceptible to bribery. It is the use of a position of trust for dishonest personal gain.
Look around. There is not a government department in PNG where the presence and influence of corruption is not felt, beginning from the office of the highest public servant to that of the lowest. It is rooted in the heart, stemmed in the mind, branched to the limbs and fruited in words and deeds, often leafed in and protected by the court of law.
My friend, the fight against corruption must be at a personal level. Cultivate a garden of integrity in your heart. Nourish the seed of honesty in your mind. Cherish it because that is all that is needed to root out corruption. Corruption is absent only in the presence of integrity, for the presence of integrity withers the influence of corruption.
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.” Proverbs 28:6. It is better to be poor, but with integrity, than to be rich and without integrity.
Do not be willing to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. Do not use you positions of trust for dishonest personal gains. Do not liaise, nor coerce a person in a position of trust to act dishonestly for your personal gain. All such acts are essential nutrients for the virus of corruption to flourish.
Since 16th September 1975, Papua New Guinea is independent from outside control, but has never, and scaringly will never be independent from the virus of corruption.
Take your stand, make your choice! The fight against corruption can be stopped. It all starts with you and me…
Being independent means that one is not dependant. But from what?
Well, according to collective definitions of various dictionaries, being independent, in the case of a nation, means that the country is free from any outside control or influence. Essentially, the nations that had authority over Papua and New Guinea during the colonial era are no longer in the picture. PNG is now self-governing, enjoying freedom from exogenous influence.
So when you celebrate today or on every September 16, enjoy it, knowing that no nation can have influence and control over you regarding governance.
Freedom from exogenous control and influence does not mean an absence of endogenous control or influence.
One particular internal influence is currently on the lips of many Papua New Guineans! It probably existed in the immediate pre-independence era and has matured with time. Like a spider, it has constructed web into every major sectors, trapping them in its influence. It celebrates with all independence celebrations, and graduates with the birth of all generations. Cherished by the successful, and nourished by the wealthy powerful, it has flourished in all places.
It is the virus of corruption. Sad to say, PNG is not independent from its influence.
Corruption is the willingness to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. It is a lack of integrity or honesty that makes one susceptible to bribery. It is the use of a position of trust for dishonest personal gain.
Look around. There is not a government department in PNG where the presence and influence of corruption is not felt, beginning from the office of the highest public servant to that of the lowest. It is rooted in the heart, stemmed in the mind, branched to the limbs and fruited in words and deeds, often leafed in and protected by the court of law.
My friend, the fight against corruption must be at a personal level. Cultivate a garden of integrity in your heart. Nourish the seed of honesty in your mind. Cherish it because that is all that is needed to root out corruption. Corruption is absent only in the presence of integrity, for the presence of integrity withers the influence of corruption.
“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity, than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.” Proverbs 28:6. It is better to be poor, but with integrity, than to be rich and without integrity.
Do not be willing to act dishonestly in return for money or personal gain. Do not use you positions of trust for dishonest personal gains. Do not liaise, nor coerce a person in a position of trust to act dishonestly for your personal gain. All such acts are essential nutrients for the virus of corruption to flourish.
Since 16th September 1975, Papua New Guinea is independent from outside control, but has never, and scaringly will never be independent from the virus of corruption.
Take your stand, make your choice! The fight against corruption can be stopped. It all starts with you and me…
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