NOT ALL HEROES WEAR CAPES€”SOME WEAR CAMOUFLAGE"

"Not All Heroes Wear Capes—Some Wear Camouflage"

A few years ago, I watched a young soldier in my area stop a group of illegal miners from digging near a water body. He didn’t yell or fight. Just stood there, firm, unshaken. Later, I heard he was offered money to “look away.” He didn’t take it. That moment stuck with me—not because it was flashy, but because it was rare.

So, when I read the headline “Defence Minister rewards soldier who rejected ‘galamsey’ bribe”, I smiled. Not one of those wide, teeth-showing smiles. Just a small, knowing one. Like, finally… someone did the right thing—and someone else noticed.

Now let’s be real: in this country (and honestly, many others too), turning down bribe money is almost like saying “no” to extra jollof at a wedding. It just doesn’t happen often. Especially when the stakes are high and the envelope’s thick. So, when this soldier—name not even plastered all over the internet—refused to be bought by illegal miners (aka galamseyers), it wasn’t just integrity, it was guts.

From what I gathered, he was stationed somewhere in a galamsey hotspot. The kind of place where digging up gold seems more like a birthright than a crime. They offered him a bribe—one he could’ve quietly pocketed. But he stood his ground. And get this, he even reported it.

I know what you’re thinking: “Big deal, it’s his job.” Sure, technically yes. But come on, how many people actually do their job when no one’s watching? When there’s quick cash involved? I mean, I’ve seen folks bend rules for less—like free lunch or a better parking spot.

That’s why I genuinely respect what the Defence Minister did. He didn’t just pat the guy on the back or write a thank-you letter. He publicly rewarded him. Sent a message that, hey, we see you. We appreciate you. We need more of you.

I may be wrong, but I feel like moments like these—small as they seem—are what could slowly shift our culture. We've gotten used to brushing off corruption like it’s dust on a dashboard. “Everyone does it,” we say. But what if… everyone didn’t?

It’s funny how a single “no” can echo louder than a hundred “yeses.” This soldier may not trend on TikTok, and I doubt he’ll land brand deals or get a Netflix documentary. But in my books, he’s the kind of person I’d want my kid to look up to.

Makes me wonder: what would happen if we all had just a little more backbone? Would the system finally crack in the right places?

Or are we still too afraid of losing the bribes we haven't even been offered yet?