Pastor Sidney Nii Okai Larmie, District Pastor of the Seventh-Day Adventist (SDA) Church, Tema East, has urged Ghanaians to reform poor work ethics, warning that such practices undermine productivity, integrity, and national development.
He observed that many workers equated mere attendance with productivity, noting that some individuals only “show up, log in, and leave,” yet expect full remuneration at the end of the month.
Pastor Larmie made the call while preaching at the Presbyterian Church of Ghana (PCG), Redemption Congregation, Tema Community Nine, during a service to mark Bible Society Sunday, on the theme: “The Bible: The Guide for Work Ethics and National Development.”
He noted that organisations that prioritised productivity and performance often struggled to attract workers due to attitudes that resisted accountability and output-based evaluation.
From a biblical standpoint, Pastor Larmie explained that productivity was rooted in divine order, adding that God Himself worked during creation and established both labour and rest as principles for human existence.
Tracing negative work attitudes to the colonial era, he explained that acts such as theft and sabotage of businesses, which were initially forms of resistance, had unfortunately evolved into persistent unethical behaviours that continue to affect workplaces today.
These attitudes, he said, were evident when employers’ assets were mismanaged or deliberately run down, a trend he described as a significant drain on national resources.
On corruption, Pastor Larmie stressed that both the giver and receiver of bribes were culpable, urging citizens to refuse participation in any corrupt practice.
He cited illegal mining as a societal contradiction where individuals destroy the environment yet expect government intervention to address the damage.
He emphasised that national development required personal responsibility, discipline, and ethical conduct, noting that corruption, tax evasion, and environmental degradation cost the nation revenue, livelihoods, and lives.
The SDA pastor encouraged Ghanaians to uphold honesty, integrity, and fairness in their workplaces, cautioning against exploitative pricing, worker oppression, and unjust wage systems, which he said erode trust and destroy livelihoods.
He added that Christian stewardship included responsible care for one’s body, family life, and time, stressing that rest was a divine principle essential for renewal and balance.
“Work existed before the fall of man. Adam was placed in the garden to work it,” he said, underscoring the importance of skill acquisition, diligence, and responsible labour for economic survival.
Pastor Larmie also called for civic responsibility, highlighting biblical teachings that promote respect for authority, tax compliance, and peaceful coexistence.
He cautioned against the misuse of social media to insult leaders and encouraged churches and Christians to reject idleness, promote skills development, and foster disciplined work habits across sectors including markets, offices, and businesses to contribute to national transformation.
