The Decay of Decency: When Politics Erodes Our Humanity

The jubilation, mockery, and cruel delight that have flooded our screens since news of Mr. Asante Bediatuo’s illness broke are not signs of political accountability; they are symptoms of moral decay of a society with no values.

When did we lose our sense of humanity? When did it become acceptable to celebrate someone’s suffering simply because they once held public office?  What happened to our Ghanaian spirit of compassion; The decency that once made us care for one another? Have we become so blinded by political hatred that we can no longer see the human being behind the political label?   

We act as though politicians cease to be human the moment they enter public life; as if they had no lives, families, or emotions before politics. Worst of it is the cynical belief that every politician seeks public office only to enrich themselves. Assuming such suspicions even exist, what evidence do we have to hold Asante Bediatuo personally liable?

Like every public servant, Bediatuo was not perfect. He is human  with strengths, flaws, and limitations, just like the rest of us. But what crime did he commit to warrant such hatred ? How much did he steal from the state to deserve such hostility? Whose property did he snatch to invite such ridicule? Beyond rumours and politically manufactured narratives, what exactly do we accuse him of?

This is not to suggest that our leaders should be shielded from public accountability, far from it. We can, and we must, hold them to account. In doing so we must remember that accountability is legitimate; humiliation and mockery however are not. To ridicule a man at his lowest moment especially based on speculations and assumptions is nothing short of cruelty.

We must understand that sickness is no respecter of persons. Today, it’s Bediatuo; tomorrow, could be any of us. And so if we allow political bitterness to erode our sense of humanity, we will one day awaken as a nation that has lost its soul and conscience. We can disagree on politics, critique performance, and ask the hard questions  but we must never lose our sense of compassion in the process.

And now, more than ever, Mr. Asante Bediatuo needs our prayers, not our prejudice, our support, not our scorn. Falling sick in the line of service should never be treated as a crime. It should remind us that, before & after politics, we are all human.

Credit - Kwasi Kwarteng