Today one of my co-workers asked me if I could see Ghana as a place I would want to live… At first I contemplated lying and telling him yes to not be rude but I ended up politely saying no. He understood.

Here in Ghana, there is a rich culture and deep foundation that unites the country. However, it is evident that there is great corruption from high power officials that keep the country from flourishing.

A world-renowned investigative journalist, Anas Aremeyaw Anas, created Tiger Eye: a private investigation agency in Ghana. This company has uncovered many scandals both nationally and internationally, including with the Ghana Premier Leauge. It is individuals like Anas and his colleagues that are going to create change within Ghana.

Within the Ghana Football (Soccer) Premiere League, referees have been bribed with money to favor one team over another during matches. This has been happening for decades and caused many fans to stir away from the game. “It has gotten to the point that people are not even going at all,” stated one of my coworkers, Benedict Owusu.

Another factor that shows the corruption within the league is the extremely low salaries of the players as well as the lack of proper training facilities. What I enjoy and seriously respect is that while these players are not getting paid close to the amount they deserve, their level of play has not diminished (they have beaten the U.S. numerous times in previous World Cups). I believe this is because of Ghanaians deep-rooted passion and history with the sport, regardless of corruption.

Kwesi Nyentakyi, the former Ghana Football Association President, was also recently caught accepting bribes, and almost brought the president of Ghana down with him. This scandal has temporarily shut down the league while it is under further investigation.

This corruption and greed is not just happening in football (soccer), and after watching the end of Anas’s undercover documentary, 12, it is evident that corruption is likely occurring in the political realm as well.

The Anas documentary finally proves this corruption and I am hopeful that in time the Ghana Premiere Leagues will be able to rebuild their fan base, which will in-turn stimulate the economy.

Looking outside of the football league, this tropical country has such beauty and depth that is being masked with trash-waste and poverty. What I have concluded since arriving in Ghana is that if they want their country to be representative of the people, it’s citizens will have to be the ones who want to see this change, and actively stand up for themselves.