Corruption will stop if gov't officials swear by smaller gods – Pete Edochie

Veteran Nollywood actor, Pete Edochie is recommending that government officials are made to swear to local deities to effectively curb corruption in the country.

The actor believes that it is the sure way to prevent government officials from illegally dipping their hand into state coffers.

Mr Edochie, who is currently in Ghana to star in Kofi Asamoah’s $150,000 budget movie, noted that unlike God who forgives, small gods will always mete out instant justice if one fails to adhere to their rules.

“Ghana is a predominately Christian country, just like Nigeria is. If people swear by the Bible, they go out and steal. What about if they swear by the local deities, that will curb corruption because the mere thought of it, it will stop corruption,” he said.

Chief Edochie made the recommendation when he, together with some cast of the movie, paid a courtesy call on former President Jerry John Rawlings at his Ridge Residence in Accra last Friday.

“God gives you a long rope according to the Bible, the local deities don’t. The moment you go against them, they will kill you. If you swear that you are not going to take a kobo from the government and you do, you will be cut down,” the actor, popular for his witty use of proverbs during his dialogues in movies, noted.

He believes, "if you must employ culture to fight corruption, I am recommending that we start by making the government officials swear by the local deities and I think you must have some very strong ones at home.”

Pete Edochie came into prominence in the 1980s when he played the lead role of Okonkwo in an adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s all-time best-selling novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’.

The delegation that met the former president was led by Kofi Asamoah, CEO of Kofas Media. It included actors like Nana Ama McBrown, Joselyn Dumas, Kalybos, Funny Face, Martha Ankomah, Ahuofe Patri, Kobi Rana, Gloria Osei Sarfo, Zynnell Zuh, Salma Mumin and Selly Galley.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Ernest Dela Aglanu (Twitter: @delaXdela / Instagram: citizendela)