It is increasingly disheartening to observe a growing wave of hypocrisy within our Waala communities, where moral clarity appears to be fading in the face of personal interests and misplaced loyalties. We now live in a society where criminals are glorified and saints are vilified—where wrongdoers are shielded and celebrated, while voices of truth and morality are silenced or branded as enemies. This disturbing trend is not only undermining the social fabric of our communities but also emboldening the perpetrators of crime and drug abuse among our youth.

At the heart of this crisis is a collective failure—manifesting in families, communities, and leadership—to hold our own accountable. It is not uncommon to find criminals being protected within our very homes and clans, with family members choosing silence or outright defense, even in the face of glaring evidence of wrongdoing. These young individuals, who are often hailed as “breadwinners,” draw their wealth from questionable and destructive sources, including theft, drug trafficking, and other illicit activities. Tragically, many choose not to question the origins of their sudden affluence, blinded by temporary gain and the illusion of success.

Until we find the courage to confront this decay head-on—naming, shaming, and prosecuting wrongdoers irrespective of familial or societal ties—we shall continue to live in fear within our own communities. The consequences of our silence are severe: the erosion of moral values, the compromise of community safety, and the gradual destruction of future leadership potential among our youth.

The responsibility lies not only with law enforcement agencies but also with family heads, community elders, and all morally upright individuals. They must rise to the occasion and speak truth without fear or favour. The time has come to restore integrity and discipline as non-negotiable values in our upbringing and governance.

In conclusion, the fight against crime and drug abuse is a collective one. If we fail to address the hypocrisy that protects and enables wrongdoing, we risk the loss of our peace, the corruption of our youth, and the eventual collapse of the social order we hold dear. Let us, therefore, rise as a people of conscience—fearless, truthful, and just—in reclaiming our communities from the grip of lawlessness and immorality.

By: Moomin Seidu (PhD)
Concerned Youth