We are in times that nations, churches, organisations, companies and individuals are all seeking development in one way or the other. Development among other definitions can be said to be “a process of bringing about growth, advancement and change which can be quantified or qualified”. A critical examination of any of the words used to explain development has got to deal with the root word: “trans” which connotes movement. That is moving from one state into another. Quantitative as used in the definition referred to the measurement of the quality of goods and services produced in a country. These may include: number of schools, hospitals, transports among others. While qualitative deals with or involves time tested values, traditions and ideas that promote the well-being of the society. These may include: sympathy, trustworthiness, honesty among others. It is through these time tested values and traditions that we can change our world. How can we have good schools and hospitals if our leaders are not honest with the monies to execute these projects? How can the members of the congregation trust their leaders if they are not faithful? How can our productivity if people with the right qualifications are not chosen for the right jobs? How can our leaders be accountable if those who criticise them constructively are seen as oppositions? Indeed, what our world needs to bring about the necessary development is integrity.

Ted Engstrom puts it better when he writes: “The worlds needs people who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who possess opinions and their individuality in a crowd; who will be honest in small things as they are in great things; who will make no compromise with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires; who will not say they do it because everybody else does it; who are true to their friends through good reports and evil reports, in adversity as well as in prosperity; who do not believe that shrewdness, cunning and hard-headedness are the best qualities for winning success; who are not afraid to stand for the truth even when it is unpopular; who say “NO” with emphasis; even though the rest of the world says “yes”. ‘ Without integrity, there can be no development or sustainable development. Our nation would be better if integrity becomes our watch word.

ERIC GYAN, (NATIONAL PRESIDENT, GHAMSU) gyaneric2005@yahoo.com