The Minister for the Interior and MP for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, has cautioned Ghanaians against the increasing tendency to celebrate affluence without probing how it was acquired.
He said persons with money were now highly respected, honoured with titles, given leadership roles and allowed to dictate affairs in their communities simply because they are rich.
He warned that such a practice could have dire consequences on the youth, who may be misled to think that money is more important than education, honesty and hard work. “If people can do anything to amass wealth and still be celebrated in society, then the future of our young ones is in danger because they will also follow that path,” he stated.
Mr. Muntaka underscored the need to prioritise education and skills acquisition, noting that society would never knowingly hand over sensitive leadership positions to persons who lack the required knowledge and competence.
“Who will accept an illiterate who cannot even recite key verses of the Holy Quran to be their Imam? No one,” he quizzed.
The Minister, however, lamented that despite the premium society places on knowledge and competence, the growing worship of wealth could push the youth to disregard those virtues.
He noted that the development is more disturbing in some communities where individuals who suddenly become rich without any clear source of income are instantly made leaders.
Mr. Muntaka further expressed worry about how wealth is influencing religious spaces, stressing that financial status should not determine leadership or social recognition.
“Even in our mosques, some people demand front seats because they are wealthy, and our Imams must speak against this,” he said.
He appealed to religious leaders, chiefs and community elders to unite and fight what he described as a growing canker of celebrating questionable wealth.”I am appealing that we protect the future of our young ones and ensure we give them proper training to become responsible and good leaders tomorrow.”
“Let us not allow them to emulate the habit of cutting corners to build their future through unexplained riches,” he cautioned.
He urged community leaders to take concrete measures to discourage the trend, warning that it could destroy the values needed to shape the next generation.
