I have a close friend who used to work in a highly reputable industry in Ghana. Unfortunately, her managers and supervisors began a campaign to paint her negatively. They didn't seem to like anything she did and discredited her genuine efforts and good intentions. It was as if she didn't matter at all to them.

My friend quit her job because she felt disappointed and discouraged by certain events. One of her superiors called her "useless and aimless in life." Shortly after, the company's CEO summoned her to the organization's headquarters. To her surprise, she received a typical scolding that did not match her experience, age, marital status, and unmatched contribution to the company's growth and progress.

She was often subject to criticism and reprimands at her workplace, eventually leading her to resign. However, before leaving, it was discovered that some of the individuals she had mentored and supported were responsible for spreading false rumors and lies, which caused her negative experiences. Her managers at the company headquarters believed the lies without verifying their accuracy, leading to her mistreatment. Despite their current desire to bring her back, she now works at a reputable institution in the United Kingdom where her talents and skills are highly valued.

One thing that stands out to me from my friend's experience at her company in Ghana is that if her colleagues had not spread those falsehoods about her and attempted to ruin her reputation, she may not have had such destructive experiences. It's important to remember that our words have power and can be uplifting and encouraging or harmful and dangerous, depending on how we use them. Therefore, we must be cautious and thoughtful in how we communicate to prevent unintended harm.

Sociopathic liars knowingly propagate false information, understanding the harmful consequences of their lies. They have total disregard or concern for others. They genuinely believe their lies to be accurate and expend considerable time, effort, and resources to present them as irrefutable facts. Unlike accidental utterances, their lies are premeditated and deliberate. The danger of pathological liars lies in their unwillingness to retract or apologize, even when confronted with evidence. They dwell in their distorted reality and persist in their lies without remorse.

Growing up in my small village, honesty was a core value we all held dear. I distinctly remember an elder in my neighborhood who always emphasized the importance of personal integrity. He would say, "The only thing worth dying for is not love but one's integrity." He believed intentionally lying to harm someone's reputation was the worst thing a person could do.

It is often said that eternal vigilance is necessary to maintain liberty. This means that in order for democracy to function properly, everyone must be actively involved in holding those in power accountable and responsible. The media, often referred to as the fourth estate, plays a crucial role in this democratic vigilance.

Throughout history, those in power have attempted to take advantage of the system and abuse their authority. This is exemplified in the scandal surrounding President Nixon, in which he used his presidential powers to spy on his opponents. It was only thanks to the vigilant reporting of journalists that Nixon was held accountable and eventually resigned from office.

The Fourth Estate plays a crucial role in a democratic society. Still, its effectiveness is compromised when the media becomes a tool for those justling for power to pursue their own political objectives. Journalists must prioritize personal integrity, honesty, and the pursuit of truth and the common good.

In our current era of social media and the constant demand for attention, some media professionals are sacrificing accuracy in order to be the first to report breaking news. Unfortunately, a small group of journalists seem to prioritize their political beliefs and personal gain over the pursuit of truth. This type of behavior is harmful, poisonous, and detrimental to the advancement of democratic values.

The results of the KPMG investigation into the GRA/SML contract are significant and serve as a reminder that this type of journalism does not benefit the common good but serves the selfish interests of certain media personnel. KPMG's findings reveal that SML did not receive $100 million and contradict the claims made by certain media outlets, who ironically refer to themselves as 'The Fourth Estate.'

This is a severe indictment of the integrity and motives behind poor-quality media work. KPMG's verdict questions the reasons behind the wild accusations against SML. It suggests that the interests of their paid masters may have motivated them rather than a desire to serve the public interest. How could 'The Fourth Estate' and others have missed out on the billions of cedis that the GRA's contract with SML had brought to Ghana if not for the influence of their employers?

It's unfortunate, to say the least, that Manasseh Azure from The Fourth Estate and Civil Society Organizations like Imani's Bright Simons are still pushing their agenda despite the facts. They demand that the President of the Republic publish the full report of KPMG's work, as doing so will change the conclusions. However, it's important to note that their two main accusations against GRA/SML have been proven false. SML has generated billions of dollars for Ghana, and a lump sum of $100 million was never paid to SML. Therefore, it's time to move on from this issue.

Is Simmons trying to be the judge in his own court by requesting another independent body to audit KPMG's work, chosen by him? Whose truth is he and his associates trying to uncover? Can any entity in Ghana or elsewhere be more independent than a multinational company such as KPMG?

In established democracies, the media and civil society organizations do not assume the role of judges and make judgments on the entities they investigate. Instead, they act as the voice of the people, drawing attention to issues that require institutional intervention. In cases where they make mistakes, they should be willing to admit their errors and take responsibility. However, when these organizations refuse to acknowledge their mistakes, it raises questions about their true motives.

How can someone sleep peacefully knowing they have tarnished another person's hard-earned reputation? Building a reputation takes a lifetime of effort, but pathological liars do not care about the damage they cause. All they care about is their selfish gains, which come at the expense of others through their malicious lies.

People lie for various reasons, including habit, financial gain, jealousy, and selfishness. For me, a person's social status, wealth, or appearance are unimportant factors when dealing with a person. What truly matters to me is a person's word. A person's integrity and trustworthiness in what they say reveal everything about them.

Those who create or spread falsehoods are just as responsible as those who believe and act on them.

One of my favorite poems is "Truth Never Dies" by an unknown author. Although all the verses are powerful and inspiring, my favorite is the second, which reads as follows:

“Though unreceived and scoffed at through the years,

Though made the butt of ridicule and jest,

Though held aloft for mockery and jeers,

Denied by those of transient power possessed,

Insulted by the insolence of lies,

Truth never dies.”

No matter what we do, we must uphold the Ghanaian ethos of compassion, honesty, and truthfulness. Lies, fabrications, and dishonesty lead us nowhere.

Written by Dominic Obour

A Ghanaian American residing in Southern California

Email: oboursavio@gmail.com