Author: Peter Martey Agbeko, APR
Once upon a recent time in the land of gold, cocoa, and very adaptable citizens, the Ghanaian chameleon emerged—not from the forest canopy, but from the well-tailored suits of politicians, the colourful kente of traditional rulers, and the polished boardrooms of corporate executives.
These aren’t your regular lizards. No. These chameleons come with designer spectacles, flowing robes, and, occasionally, an honourary doctorate or two. They have perfected the ancient art of adaptive morality—changing colours, positions, and convictions with the swiftness of a WhatsApp group notification.
Where Did the Values Go?
Principles? Those are for textbooks and motivational speakers. In today’s Ghana, we have those who preach virtue by day and party by night—with the very people they condemned on radio that morning. You see a politician decrying corruption with righteous fury, only for him or her to get appointed and start speaking fluent “terms and conditions apply.”
These folks aren’t confused. Far from it. They are pragmatic. Or so they say. “You must learn to eat where you are tied,” one elder reportedly advised a fresh appointee. And eat they do—without shame, without scruples, and often without a trace of their old selves.
The Stomach Infrastructure Party
Call it the Stomach First Movement. It has no formal constitution, but its membership is swelling. Former firebrands become mellow once their bread is buttered and their mouths are full. Literally, they observe ‘table manners’; you don’t speak with the mouth full. Activists go mute after landing government contracts. Chiefs who once declared “never on our land!” now cut sod with the very destroyers they denounced.
As for some business executives? Their compass spins depending on who’s in power. One day, they’re sponsoring youth entrepreneurship, the next they’re lobbying for monopolies to keep competitors out. Their motto? “Adapt or be broke.”
The Art of Political Gymnastics
Switching allegiance is now a national pastime. Today’s critic is tomorrow’s cheerleader. And when challenged, they always have a perfectly good excuse: “My views have evolved.” Translation: “I’m now on the winning team.”
One former MP, who once swore allegiance to a certain party “till death do us part,” was recently spotted in a rival camp, singing their new anthem like a choirboy. When questioned, he said, “The political landscape has shifted.” Indeed. So has his house, car, and wardrobe.
What About the People?
The tragedy is, while our elite chameleons flip-flop with glee, ordinary citizens are stuck in a cycle of confusion. They vote based on what they believed someone stood for—only to be betrayed by U-turns sharper than the Accra-Tema Motorway interchange.
Young people grow cynical. Elders shrug. “That’s Ghana for you,” they say. But must it be?
A Call for Colourfast Leadership
It’s time we stop rewarding flip-floppers with applause and appointments. Let’s celebrate those rare individuals who stick to their principles even when it costs them. Integrity shouldn’t be the exception; it should be the norm.
So, to all the chameleons out there—political, traditional, corporate or otherwise—we see you. We hear you. And we know your colour today isn’t necessarily your colour tomorrow.
But remember this: true leadership isn’t about survival of the slickest; it’s about the courage to stand firm—even when the stomach rumbles.
