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Taking a cue from a country where modesty and simplicity are its hallmark in governance
Modesty, is a God-given principle that helps a person or an institution to keep safely on the convenient path as the person or the body makes strides in the presence of the Almighty God. Modesty in actual sense, thought and behaviour, will help prepare mankind to make a sacred temple covenant. Similarly, simplicity in its true meaning, connotes uncomplicated, simple and elaborate method that can be understood, apply or done easily for the purposes of progress and development.
Being modest and simple begin with how one sees himself or herself and the place in the world. By being aware of your own strengths and weaknesses, you can avoid pitfalls of arrogance and start life more modestly. Just try to see yourself the way others see you by asking your closest friends how to perceive you. In effect, modesty and virtue, are qualities that are universally recognised as essential for the proper development and success of individuals and nations. It is important to impact in the youth these values so that they grow up into responsible and productive members of their communities and the nation in general.
POSITIVE ATTRIBUTES OF MODESTY AND SIMPLICITY
Some of the attributes of modesty include simplicity in the way of doing things, living within ones means not spending more than what comes in, be content with what you have and thinking about the long- term rather the short-term. It is said that a person is modest when he or she is considerate and does not boast or brag, so it is to developing nations across the world. The watchword is “Cutting your coat according to your cloth”.
I have decided to take my readers to the realms of theory just to prepare their minds to appreciate the importance of modesty and simplicity in our everyday lives and how they reflect on governance in countries that are well developed so that those of us in the developing world can learn and apply them for our own good and progress.
VIDEO ON SWEDEN AND THEIR WAY OF LIFE
Just recently, a cousin of mine domiciled in the United States of America who has been feeding me with educative materials including video clips across the world to educate, inform and entertain me of happenings across the globe, sent me one of his interesting videos about Sweden which since time immemorial, has adopted modesty and simplicity as their way of life which are working perfectly for them as a nation.
The video is about how this Scandinavian nation with thousands of coastal inland and inland lakes, with vast boreal forest and glaciated mountains, are running their august parliament as well as effective governance in a more matured, modest and simple way that have inured to their progress and advancement. Even though this country with a total population of a little over 10.35 million as of 2020 is fairly rich and industrious, it has been able to put in place certain mechanisms to cut down cost of public spending in order to rake in more funds to meet its developmental goals and that is working perfectly and effectively for them.
SHORT HISTORY ABOUT SWEDEN
To get a true picture of Sweden since I have never been to that country in my lifetime, I have done a little research about that country just to educate and carry my readers some of whom are just like me along to have a feel of that country. As I stated earlier, Sweden is a Scandinavian nation with its eastern capital located in Stockholm which is built on 14 islands. It has more than 50 bridges as well as medieval old town, Gamla Stan, royal palaces and museums. Although the country is relatively wealthy, 16.2 per cent of its people are at risk of falling into the poverty bracket. Even though English is one of the most commonly spoken languages in the world, it will be of interest to know that while about 80 per cent of the people understand English perfectly, they hardly speak the language, except their mother tongue, Swedes.
The vast majority of enterprises are privately owned. We are told that the country’s economic success is due to stable economic and political institutions which allow the people to focus on producing wealth. Swedish society is based on equality and individualism and the people are proud of their nation and its accomplishments which they termed Lagom, which means “Not too much, not too little…just right” a word often used and heard in Sweden. The country has a profound respect for integrity.
MODESTY AND SIMPLICITY IN SWEDISH PARLIAMENT
Having given the geographical location of Sweden, I will now go back to the video clip to show how modest and simple their parliament is being run to cut cost. The five minutes’ video titled, “The country where Members of Parliament don’t get free coffee, talks about drastic reduction of the way of life of the MPs as far as their living conditions are concerned. It talks about the whole parliament having three cars which are used for official work. Besides, MPs are expected to use public transportation during sitting hours. We are being told in that video that until 1957, the MPs were not being paid for their jobs and could not raise their own salaries. Apartments are provided to MPs from outside Stockholm which is one room apartment.Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight and if any of the MPs wants to bring a visitor to his or her apartment to stay overnight, the MP must pay for it. Any trip abroad by MPs must cost a maximum of 85 per cent of his or her salary. If an MP rents a car, he or she must choose the shortest possible route. Swedish MPs have no secretaries or assistants and they have to plan their own schedules.
THE JUDICIARY AND POLITICIANS IN SWEDEN
Parliamentarians who have missed more than 60 per cent of their voting occasions must repay from their salaries. There are no lifetime pensions for former MPs. In the case of judiciary, the criminal justice system is well organised and judges have no right to official cars. There is no immunity from criminal prosecution of politicians. Regional politicians do not receive salaries because their work is considered public good as such is unpaid. Public Service in Sweden is neither prestigious nor lucrative. The video ended by explaining that all these rules and many others, are designed to make Sweden a functioning democracy.
AFRICANS MUST LEARN FROM SWEDISH EXPERIENCE
Seriously, what we need to ask ourselves as Africans is that, is it not relevant to adopt some of these rules in our institutions of governance to cut down wastage, cost and conserve foreign exchange and other meagre resources to advance economic progress on our continent? If a nation like Sweden which is fairly rich in resources and capital, is operating modestly and simple, why can’t we in Africa learn from their experience? Africa is suffering because our leaders are selfish in character and do not think about the interests of their peoples. The limited resources at their disposal are being plundered to satisfy their personal interests and that of their closest associates while their citizens continue to live in abject poverty and misery.
OUR OFFICE HOLDERS MUST SHOW LEADERSHIP BY EXAMPLE
Over here in Ghana, as we continue to battle with the current economic crises which have brought untold hardships to the people, there are quite a number of institutions of governance which are feeding fat on the people. Our institutions of governance are not being considerate with the citizens and continue to impose all kinds of taxes and levies to worsen the plight of Ghanaians while those in positions of authority continue to enjoy.
The Swedish example must inspire us including other African countries to adopt measures to cut down cost and protect the public purse.
Contact email/WhatsApp of author: ataani2000@yahoo.com
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By Charles Neequaye
On Sunday, October 11, 2026, it was the turn of Ghanaian Catholics in Finland to lead the singing in the church service of the African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland (ACCF).
It was indeed a spirit-filled feeling for worshippers present. And for the Ghanaian migrants, the occasion also brought back to them memories of church services in their home country, Ghana.
The ACCF has a roster for each country/community to sing from time to time. Next Sunday will be the turn of the Nigerian community. Other communities that usually sing are the Kenyan/Tanzanian community, the Cameroonian, the Ugandan, group, etc.
A powerful religious experience
The mass services of the Chaplaincy usually give a powerful religious experience and a display of cultural diversity, especially in occasions such as when the Bishop of Helsinki, Bishop Raimo Goyarrola, celebrated mass with the Chaplaincy on Pentecost Day, May 24, 2026.
There was a similar time of spiritual joy last month (September 27, 2026) when Emeritus Bishop Teemu Sippo, former Bishop of Helsinki, visited the Chaplaincy. Bishop Teemu was the main celebrant, assisted by the Chaplain, Reverend Father Thomas Otieno.
Last Sunday, Reverend Father Bernard Sor, a Ghanaian Catholic priest based in Austria, was the main celebrant in the mass service where he performed a rite of baptism. Fr Bernard had celebrated mass a few months ago when he visited his sister and her husband in Helsinki. 
All these well-attended religious occasions indeed leave lasting memories. The homilies (peaching) by the priests usually emphasize religious tenets such as the importance of loving and serving God in truth, existing in peace with our fellow humans to promote unity in diversity, etc.
Unity in diversity and a colourful display of cultures
The African Chaplaincy church services usually produce impressive displays of diverse cultures from different parts of Africa and elsewhere. The events are often spiced by rich cultural displays of dances and colourful attires which are a delight to watch.
On special occasions, members of the Ghanaian Catholic community, in their gay and colourful kente attire and with adowa dance and music, usually lead the procession into the church. Other communities such as the Cameroonian, Nigerian, Kenyan and Tanzanian as well as Sudanese/South Sudanese groups also put up well-choreographed performances from their cultures.
The African Catholic Chaplaincy in Finland
The African Chaplaincy was founded on June 4, 2017, which was a Pentecost Sunday, in a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Monsignor Emeritus Sippo S.C.I., the then Bishop of Helsinki, at the St. Mary’s Catholic Parish Church in Helsinki.
The Chaplaincy was created by Bishop Teemu in collaboration with the Diocesan body when they detected a great flocking of African immigrants to Finland, the majority of whom were Catholics. This was to give the immigrants a possibility to integrate into the Finnish society by worshiping as Catholics and in their African cultural identity.
The responsibility of the Chaplaincy was given by Bishop Teemu to Father Dr Leonard Wobilla Shwei, who is thus the first Chaplain and ably led the Chaplaincy. He was succeeded a few years ago by Father Thomas Otieno, who continues to move the Chaplaincy forward. Thank you!
GHANA MATTERS column appears fortnightly. Written in simple, layman’s terms, it concentrates on matters about Ghana and beyond. It focuses on everyday life issues relating to the social, cultural, economic, religious, political, health, sports, youth, gender, etc. It strives to remind us all that Ghana comes first. The column also takes a candid look at the meanings and repercussions of our actions, especially those things we take for granted or even ignore. There are key Ghanaian values we should uphold rather than disregard with impunity. We should not overlook the obvious. We need to search for the hidden or deeply embedded values and try to project them.
With Dr Perpetual Crentsil
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She did not find out he was cheating. She found out he was drowning.
It was two weeks after their beautiful wedding. The jollof was still in the fridge. A loan officer called her number-not his-and politely asked, “Madam, please tell your husband to pay his overdue loan. We have been calling him.”
That was how she discovered her new husband had entered their marriage with a hidden debt of over GH¢ 40,000. No cheating. No other woman. Just a financial secret.
And that is how many Ghanaian marriages begin to die. Not with a shout, but with a secret alert on a phone.
We prepare for the wedding. We do not prepare for the wallet.
What is money honesty?
Let me define it simply. Money honesty is not that you both earn the same. It is that you both know the same. It is the ability to sit down and say without fear:
“This is how much I earn.”
“This is how much I owe.”
“This is how I was raised to see money.”
“This is what scares me about money.”
Financial transparency is not about control. It is about clarity. You cannot build trust on top of secrets.
Many couples tell me, “Counsellor, we love each other, love will handle money.” I always answer, “Love is the car, but money honesty is the fuel. Love without honesty cannot move.”
How To Buy Your Marriage Insurance Today – My 5-Step Protocol
If you are engaged, newly married, or even 20 years in marriage, you can still fix this. At Counsellor Prince & Associates Consult—CPAC, this is what I give couples:
Step 1: The 90-Minute Money Naked Session.
No phones, no blame. Each partner writes down on paper: Monthly income, monthly debts, monthly family obligations, savings, and your biggest money fear. Then you exchange papers. Read it. Don’t react for 24 hours. Just absorb.
Step 2: Create OUR Money, YOUR Money, My Money.
You need three pots. OUR money for rent, food, school fees, utilities, properties, and the like— joint contribution. YOUR money and MY money—a small agreed allowance no one questions. This stops the feeling of being controlled.
Step 3: The No-Secret Debt Rule.
Agree from today: No new loan, no new hire purchase, no new family financial commitment above GHS 500 without telling each other first. Not permission, but information.
Step 4: Talk About Your Money Personality.
Are you a Spender or a Saver? Are you Risky or Safe? Most Ghanaian marriages are a Spender married to a Saver. Neither is wrong. But if you don’t understand your partner’s personality, you will call his saving “stinginess” and her spending “wastefulness.”
Step 5: Do a Monthly 30-Minute Money Date
Not an argument date. Light, with tea. “How did we do this month? What worried you? What should we plan for next month?” Couples who do this divorce far less.
My Final Word
Before you say “I Do” at the altar, have pre-marital counselling and also have the money talk on the sofa.
Ask your partner:
“If I lost my job today, how long can we survive?”
“What debt are you bringing into this marriage?”
“How much do you send to your family monthly and will that continue?”
If he or she gets angry that you asked, don’t get married yet. A person who is angry about accountability will be abusive about money.
Marriage insurance is not bought at Star Assurance or Enterprise. It is bought in honest conversations when no one is watching.
The wedding costs one day. The marriage costs a lifetime. Don’t enter a lifetime contract and covenant with hidden costs.
You can still insure your marriage today.
Source:
Counselor Prince Offei, CPAC’s founder, is a leading Mental Health Professional, Marriage Counsellor, Author, ADR Expert/Arbitrator, and Spectator Newspaper Columnist. He writes on relationships, marriage, parenting, special needs support, and their connection to mental health. For therapy, counselling, or enquiries, contact Counselor Prince & Associates Consult (CPAC) in Accra on 0559850604 / 0551428486.
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