At a recent workshop organized by a Ho based NGO, one of the facilitators described indiscipline as a "disease" that has infected the moral fibre of the Ghanaian society.
He said some signs of this disease include jumping the traffic lights, speaking on cell phone while driving, defecating and throwing of garbage into gutters, speaking rudely to elders and superiors and indecent dressing.
In short, our cherished Ghanaian culture and values have been thrown to the dogs and in their places we have planted and nurtured indiscipline.
The great question is why is indiscipline on the upward swing even as the "Word of God" the rod of discipline, in the form of churches and
mosques can be found in every nook and cranny of our society?
At the launch of the 70th anniversary of the Ebenezer Senior High School recently, Nii Armah Ashietey, Greater Accra Regional Minister attributed indiscipline in the country's educational institutions to the loss of control by school authorities over students, and parents over their wards.
The Right Reverend Francis Amenu, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, likewise said indiscipline is a nagging universal phenomenon which has caught up with a greater part of the Ghanaian
populace, especially the youth.
He attributed the upsurge of the scourge to many factors, including negative foreign cultural influences, negative impact of Information
Technology, the breakdown of the cherished Ghanaian extended family system, charlatans in the faith ministry and poor parenting.
In our dear country, Ghana, today many people are seeking fame, power, authority and fulfillment through quick-fix and crafty schemes in every facet of life.
The crucial issue here, however, is: How do we free ourselves from this quick-sand?
The Rt. Rev. Amenu advised that the church should maintain its position as the conscience of the people and ensure that the "discipline barometer" of the nation is kept on course by teaching good morals and ethical principles. Its leadership should also be seen as the beacon of hope to all and bring light to "our darkness." Those in responsible positions should serve as role models to the youth and, also, moral and religious education should be intensified from the pre-schools to the tertiary level.
Proverbs chapter five verse 32 admonishes that "if you reject discipline, you only harm yourself".
Let's get over indiscipline as a country and we would have found the surest antidote to our woes.
By Emmanuel Nyatsikor