Re-thinking the Intangible Mind and values of a Corruption and Good Governance Activist!

[Stephen A Nkem]

Fighting corruption does not only require an internal intangible mind that is not easily crippled; but a strong daily dose of passion and the desire to add spirit and life to the dream of the many who wish to see their communities free from corruption! Technically, unless we live in opposition to the present factors and values that go up against community and honesty (corruption), we risk working for validity but not with the intent to create change and impact!

When our work and effort are geared at gaining validity for our person, we run into false animation. It is by submitting ourselves to principles and by so doing embracing standards that will delay the spread of corruption in its tracks. Though young people and humanity in general is transient, the values to which we subscribe have to be consistent. I believe in the ethical principle that the informed is not as powerful as the obedient. As far as working for community development and empowerment is concern; knowledge has no power unless it is applied. Appropriation of strategy, action and knowledge is what makes an activist powerful. Without failing and stalling we have to consistently contribute towards reconfiguring life for permanence and durability.

Coming from varied communities, we are bound to be motivated by different community need priorities and mission; but i know of one thing that is common among activists, they all seek to work for social good.Acting for social good is the common denominator connecting anti-corruption activists. This therefore suggest that GYAC members, at different level of impact: -global, national, or community level, are all facing similar contextual corruption challenges. We all know that in Africa and the Central part of it for instance, anti-corruption CSO activitists are major actors for good courses. Normally every government ought to serve the interest of its people; sadly this seems not to be the case in most countries.

The Hopes and dreams of many who have been disadvantaged by massive corruption is only alive  as they believe change for good will come.If the efforts of CSOs/anti-corruption activists should fail or proof to be insufficient to bring this change, then the hopes and dreams of many are destined for frustration. If anti-corruption initiatives fail, we will have many frustrated people add up to the number; only that this time even educated people too may become desperate.  It is therefore imperative for the efforts of CSOs and GYAC members not to fail. 

It we fail to apply restrain on our desires we will end up like some of these public officials; if we also fail to get our priorities into perspective, we risk not inspiring confidence. Fighting corruption should not be a battle for words but of manifest resistance and patience to living right. The success against corruption is going to be intentional. I belief that living blameless (corruption free) does not guarantee as well that we will be spared from the challenges of development, employment and poverty;but the good news is that all these challenges steel us to effectively respond to these crises giving us the quality of life and perspective to respond to it. Quality is always exposed in times of testing, as GYAC activists, we must continue on this journey of  a fundamental shift towards right behavior as we labor to correct deficiencies in our community and public systems.