The Irony of Planting Trees but Selling Forests

The world talks about climate change and many countries have started working toward doing something to reduce the speed of climate change. The United Nations and its agencies make it look like the only way to sustain the world is through the reduction or elimination of activities that affect climate change. The argument of some governments is that any activity that introduces more dangerous gases into the atmosphere should be curtailed with immediate effect. We see some governments making efforts in planting more trees with even special days set aside for only planting trees.

In my own country Ghana, whilst they shout to people to plant trees, agencies of government are also selling forests for mining purposes. Some forest reserves are even sold for building purposes and are becoming a concern to the people. We sell vast forests and plant few trees to satisfy ourselves that we are doing something to deal with climate change. We are obsessed with using every available means to get money including selling important forest reserves for personal gains. Corruption has clouded the minds of appointees of governments in such a way that they are unable to think straight when they are confronted with huge sums of money and the destruction of natural reserves. 

A nation with over 70% Christians has become a laughing stock because of how endemic corruption has become. The fruit of these Christians is not seen because they have refused to bear any useful fruit. They are concerned with capturing the land rather than bearing fruits. The Christian in us is only seen during church services on Sunday and the other side of our lives shows up. We praise God on Sundays and serve the devil’s interest the rest of the day. We are gradually becoming people with no conscience. 

Why have we taken the grace of God for granted? This cannot continue forever. We cannot kill our conscience and still expect the blessings of God to fall on us. I think that we must remember that money, property and things, in general, can make us comfortable but miserable. Stealing to get rich will destroy you. Cheating and corrupting yourself to get wealth will bring shame and dishonour to you. Driving beautiful cars and living in big mansions gotten through corruption will bring pain and anguish.

Many government appointees do not deserve the word honourable. They have dishonoured themselves through their actions and wanton stealing from the public purse. They call themselves honourable and will kill if that word is not used when addressing them, but know in their heart that they are not close to the word honourable. 

Let’s move away from the politicians and come home. You are the Director who has decided to sit on an employee’s promotion because she refused to sleep with you. You are that Lecturer who failed that female student because she rejected your proposal. You are that man whose main goal is to “devirginate” ladies and excite yourself as an expert in that. The list can go on and on. Ironically, all these people also complain that the government is corrupt. They leave their corruption to complain about what is happening in the government. 

If we can all decide to do the right in the corner where we find ourselves, this country would make progress. As it stands now, we are hypocritically greedy people who care less about the progress of the country. The irony again is that we seem to be very religious with the support of their supposed shepherds. We cannot pretend to be planting trees but selling forests, it will come back and hunt us and the generation unborn. May God have mercy on us.