Engineer, Educator and Founder of Ashesi University, Patrick Awuah Jr., has stated that one can only create wealth in a society where people trust each other.
In an interview with Rev.Erskine on the Y Leaderboard Series segment of the Myd Morning show, he noted: “If you really want to create wealth, but your focus is just on creating wealth through any means, you are less likely to build a wealthy society. But if you focus on building a high trust society, then you are more likely to build a wealthy society”.
He illustrated his point with two extreme societies with one characterized by dishonesty, greed and theft while the other society is characterized by honesty, compassion and trust.
He said of the former society, “In a society that people cannot trust each other at all, they cannot get together to do anything”.
“It is clear that a high trust society is that which is most able to do the things that will create a modern advanced society that has sophisticated infrastructure, beautiful buildings, great healthcare facilities and incredible machines ”, he added.
He advised that educational systems should train students to appreciate ethical values in order to create a wealthy and advanced society.
“This is why it is important that the educational system values ethical behaviour as part of the educational enterprise because if you educate people with knowledge but all of them are not trustworthy, they will cause harm to the society and they will limit just how much wealth and advancement that society can actually achieve”, he said.
By: Alberta Dorcas N D Armah