Technology has given breed to another form of faceless rumor mongering; perpetuated mostly by otherwise spineless entities using pseudo-names to advance their diabolical deeds. Within the past two months, this Anthony Obuor-Mensah (a pseudo-name I believe) has inundated us with alleged excesses at some Ghanaian missions abroad fingering out Canada to make his point. From this point on, I would pretend that Anthony Obuor-Mensah is the real name of the author and that he or she resides in Kingston.

Almost always, it is easy to destroy than to build. Mr. Obuor-Mensah has chosen to recklessly destroy the good names of those fine ladies and gentlemen at our numerous missions abroad whose only crime might be that they have devoted their lives to serve their motherland. James 3:1-3:12, talks about taming the tongue. However, at this day and age the tongue could be any means by which rumors or gossips are conveyed. In Mr. Obour’s case he has cowardly chosen to hide behind the keyboard to cast aspersions on the good names of people that he might not have had the chance of meeting, or probably jealous for the fact that he or a member in his inner circle might have been passed over for the position that any of the personalities mentioned is occupying. Some people are by nature prone to gossip to inflict hurt on other people; others by nurture, might have had poor examples modeled for them growing up and are thus a product of a bad environment.

Still, other people have negative spirits that they see nothing good in the world and they want to share that fact with every person that they come in contact with. I see Mr. Obour in the latter group of people who resort to malicious gossips. This group has all the human vices within it: jealousy, pride, selfishness you name it. I for one do not believe for a second that nationalism has anything to do with Mr. Obour’s vituperations. It’s got to be jealousy, for what on earth could motivate a person to resort to this ‘pull him down (PHD) attitude come what may?

The sad reality that Mr. Obour-Mensah forgets is that once his words are in the open, they can never be taken back. When harmful words are released, they often spread like wildfire. Rumors have the ability to harm others, like venom from a snake and they have the ability to corrode and destroy areas of a person’s life. Mr. Obour-Mensah you must know that you are dealing with human beings who might have spent a lifetime to cultivate the good reputation that they enjoy now. Nevertheless, by the your reckless disregard for human dignity and a click of a button on your keyboard you are capable of destroying that life. I do not know about your background but to some people a good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold." (Prov. 22:1). You have every right just like every Ghanaian or for that matter as a human being to register your indignation over perceive malfeasances, but before you write or speak

T-HI-N-K about the situation. In that aspect you must use the following criteria:

T—Is it True?

H—Is it Helpful?

I—Is it Inspiring?

N—Is it Necessary?

K—Is it Kind?

The absence of any of these five criteria is tantamount to starting a rumor that may have the tendency of destroying someone’s reputation. I’m hopeful that you’ll draw some sense from this piece and thus refrain from this exercise, for whenever you point an accusing index finger at someone remember that you have three fingers pointed at you. A word to the wise…

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