‘Ghanaians are becoming like Kweku Ananse’ – Agyinasare warns against culture of lies

Archbishop Charles Agyinasare has spoken out against a worrying trend of dishonesty in Ghana, warning that lying has become commonplace and that cleverness is now measured by one's capacity to evade the truth. During a Sunday sermon, the founder of Perez Chapel International argued that dishonesty has woven itself into daily interactions, with some resorting to lies to sidestep embarrassment, gain favor or secure personal gain.

The sermon, titled "The Venom of Falsehood – When Lies Become Weapons of Destruction," questioned whether Ghanaian culture may inadvertently endorse deceit, using the popular trickster Kweku Ananse as a case study. Agyinasare stated that "lying has become a pastime, and cleverness is measured by how adept we are at dodging the truth."

He argued that such attitudes can make dishonesty seem acceptable, especially when seen as a sign of intelligence. The archbishop pointed out that this problem often starts at home, with parents occasionally telling harmless lies and encouraging their children to do the same. He cited examples of parents threatening their children with the police to instill obedience or instructing them to tell visitors they are not home when they are present.

He urged parents to be aware of the lessons their actions convey to their children, emphasizing that honesty should be demonstrated in everyday life, not just demanded. Beyond outright falsehoods, Archbishop Agyinasare described how dishonesty can manifest in half-truths, exaggerations, flattery, pretence, selective disclosure, doctored photos, and the spread of fake news.

He called for Ghanaians to identify these varied forms of deception, especially as information can be manipulated and disseminated widely through social media. Using Genesis 39 as a reference, the sermon warned that false accusations can ruin an innocent person's reputation, relationships and freedom. The archbishop used the story of Joseph and Potiphar's wife to illustrate the harmful consequences of falsehoods, cautioning that even a small lie can have serious repercussions.

He cited how one lie told one afternoon led to Joseph's imprisonment. He further warned that dishonesty can erode trust in families, churches, friendships and business relationships, with the damage potentially enduring long after the lie has been exposed. Those deceived might find it challenging to trust the individual who lied, even after an apology, and repeated dishonesty could compromise the conscience of the liar, making further deceit more tempting.

Archbishop Agyinasare also cited instances of false allegations and misrepresentations directed at public figures for personal gain. He cautioned against making or sharing such accusations without verifying their accuracy.