Archbishop Charles Agyinasare warns Ghanaians against growing culture of lies

Archbishop Charles Agyinasare, the founder of Perez Chapel International, has expressed deep concern over what he describes as the normalization of dishonesty within Ghanaian society. During a sermon titled "The Venom of Falsehood – When Lies Become Weapons of Destruction," the Archbishop cautioned that the nation is increasingly adopting a "Kweku Ananse" persona, where cleverness is mistakenly measured by one's ability to evade the truth. He emphasized that this culture of deception is no longer confined to specific sectors but has permeated everyday interactions, eroding the foundation of national trust.

The Archbishop highlighted the role of the family in this moral decline, noting that dishonesty often begins in the home with seemingly harmless lies told by parents to their children. He warned that when parents model deceit, they inadvertently teach the next generation that lying is an acceptable tool for navigating life's challenges. Drawing from the biblical narrative of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife, Agyinasare illustrated how false accusations can have catastrophic consequences, destroying reputations and relationships. He urged parents to be deliberate role models of integrity to break this cycle of falsehood.

Addressing the digital age, Agyinasare specifically targeted the spread of misinformation and "fake news" on social media platforms. He challenged Ghanaians to move beyond mere regret when they discover they have shared false information, proposing a proactive "delete, retract, and apologize" approach. The Archbishop warned against the dangers of half-truths—the selective presentation of facts intended to mislead—and called for rigorous verification of all claims before they are shared publicly. He stressed that individuals must take personal responsibility for the accuracy of the information they propagate.

To restore societal trust, the Archbishop called for a collective commitment to truthfulness in all forms of communication. He emphasized that correcting a misleading impression is a vital social responsibility that helps uphold the truth in society. By urging citizens to acknowledge their errors and inform recipients of inaccuracies, Agyinasare framed honesty as a necessary virtue for national stability. He concluded that only by confronting and rejecting the "venom of falsehood" can Ghanaians build a society rooted in genuine accountability and mutual respect.