Corruption in our Institutions

Corruption in our Institutions

Introduction

Corruption is one the societal issues which every government in the world is continually trying to eliminate at all cost. Nevertheless, the menace has proven a rocket science since the sole perpetrators of corruption are the government officials themselves (Hartelius & Borgenhammar, 2011). Corruption is regarded as the top factor hindering development in our nation, schools and the global society at large. Several mechanisms have been developed to help in this fight against corruption in agencies and among the corrupt individuals with little success. Let’s consider the instances of fraud we witness and their repercussions in our daily lives. In this in-depth consideration, we may realize we have been victims of corruption or beneficiaries of this “disease.” Perhaps this menace at one point cost you your job which you merited, and the repercussion is the difficult life you live to date.

On the other hand, due to the same corruption, your merit might have been compromised to earn you your current job. Whichever the case, corruption stills remains unethical ordeals in the society. In our schools, some may fail to graduate or their graduation ceremonies delayed due to unclear financial hiccups developed by corrupt individuals in the finance departments in our various institutions. The US for examples faces challenges related to the abuse of the entrusted power for personal interests and gains. The department of justice, for example, records 55% of individuals see widespread corrupt deals in various cases according to the Gallup News (Gallup & Newport, 2010). This gives me a firm stand to talk about this issue. Due to this high percentage, we must think on how to root out this menace in our midst. Thus, corruption can only be reduced to its minimum if the society and the government embrace transparency in its daily dealings.

Towards Zero Tolerance for Corruption

Our government must introduce mechanisms through which the civil servants are handsomely paid. Underpaying the civil servants will affect incentives and motivation. Too low wages in the public sectors may make the employees find alternative means to supplement their incomes in unethical ways. Transparency in their dealings will be significantly compromised. Therefore, if you are a government official, I beseech you to present bills in the house of senates which seek to raise the gross pay of civil servants. Moreover, these government officials must enact these laws transparently without any favor but employees at heart. As a result, the public servants will have been motivated.

We must report to the relevant authorities any instance of corruption we encounter in these institutions. The main reason corruption in our society spread like bushfire is because many individuals choose to go silent about it due to fear of the unknown. The quieter we are on this issue, the higher the advantage on the cartels. They must be exposed. As a society, we must work towards zero tolerance to corruption. Any suspicious incident of corruption must be reported to help end this problem. Yes, corruption can be dealt with and finished if and only if we will develop the spirit of zero tolerance to corrupt individuals.

Another transparent way of dealing with corruption is through the creation of awareness in our society. Our governments must educate the community on what corruption is all about. Some of us encounter corrupt deals incognito. Perhaps, we may not blame them much because of no awareness campaigns and adequate exposure. Our institutions must be on the forefront in fighting corruption. Today, in our institutions, most billboards have been erected educating the society and passing messages of corruption-free zones. If such is lacking in your institution, we may begin raising questions as to whether you are the sole perpetrators of corruption. We must come together as a society to help fight corruption. It can be done. Corruption can be eliminated from us. If correct measures are taken against the corrupt persons, no one will ever long to indulge in the same. The existing laws of the land should jail those who participate in fraudulent activities has created the awareness.

Conclusion

We should employ the utmost transparency so that the above ways drive our society towards zero tolerance to corruption. All we need is to embrace openness because, without it, the above process may still be conducted in an uncouth manner (Hartelius & Borgenhammar, 2011). The civil servants must be well-paid to eradicate unethical thoughts of supplementing their incomes. Any corrupt dealings must be reported to the relevant authorities and adequately dealt with by the law. Additionally, there is the need to create awareness among the members of the society to eliminate corruption due to ignorance. I thus call upon everyone to be the grand ambassadors of zero tolerance to corruption. Let us engage our minds in ethical and acceptable means of acquiring wealth but not through bribery. We must, therefore, fight corruption in our institutions due to its adverse effects on our people.

References

Gallup, A. M., & Newport, F. (Eds.). (2010). The Gallup Poll: Public Opinion 2009. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers.

Hartelius, J., & Borgenhammar, E. (2011). Corruption as a threat to international security and conflict resolution: A systems approach to preventing and stopping corruption. Swedish Carnegie Institute.