Former Finance Minister Dr. Kwabena Duffuor has called on Ghanaians to confront uncomfortable truths and recommit to integrity, discipline and national values as the country enters 2026, warning that moral decline poses a serious threat to future generations.

In his New Year message to the nation, Dr. Duffuor described the start of a new year as more than a change of calendar, framing it instead as “a national moment of reckoning” that demands deep reflection and decisive action.

“Truth with danger saves generations,” he said, stressing that Ghana must face hard realities if it is to secure a better future.

According to him, the erosion of discipline, weakening of moral restraint and growing dominance of self-interest over selflessness have increasingly defined public life.

He cited indiscipline on the roads, environmental neglect and the abuse of public trust as developments that threaten not only state institutions but the very values that once held the nation together.

Dr. Duffuor argued that Ghana’s renewal must be anchored in integrity, describing it as inseparable from skills and competence.

He maintained that mentoring young people to be deeply rooted in integrity should precede the acquisition of skills, noting that “skills without integrity are insufficient, and integrity without skills is incomplete.”

He urged deliberate investment in values-based education and religious principles, calling for the nurturing of a generation that values truth, respects life and places the public good above private gain.

In his view, leadership grounded in both integrity and skills remains the surest foundation for sustainable national development.

Despite the challenges, the former finance minister expressed optimism, insisting that Ghana’s history has always been one of resilience and renewal.

He recalled the selflessness and foresight of the nation’s forebears, urging present-day leaders and citizens to adopt the same spirit of sacrifice for generations yet unborn.

Dr. Duffuor stated that national transformation cannot be driven by government alone, but requires collective responsibility from parents, teachers, professionals, faith leaders and public servants.

He noted that when citizens defend values, institutions regain strength, and when integrity becomes the norm, corruption loses its grip.

He described 2026 as a defining year, calling on Ghanaians to rise with courage and conviction to restore the nation’s moral foundation.

“Let history record that when Ghana faced moral decline, we rose, intervened in time and secured a future anchored in integrity, skill and service,” he said, ending with a call for unity and renewed commitment to nation-building.