Organisations are founded on principles, missions and visions, but many fail to take it beyond and they remain mere statements. Ethics, responsibility and corporate governance are not meant to be publicity tools, but should be deeply ingrained in the organisation.

Unfortunately, greed and the pursuit of unrealistic targets have relegated ethics and good corporate governance to the backseat, and the result is the road to perdition. History has been testatement time and again, with cases of bad corporate governance leading to an eventual collapse.

The media and the world often pits the blame on the people at the helm of the affairs, as they are seen to be responsible for the mess. However, people at other levels in the organisation who are aware or even remotely aware, are equally responsible; for not having objected. Being a passive spectator to anything that the conscience objects is an equally serious crime, and only encourages the perpetrators to intensify their acts.

We are so used to turning a blind eye, that by the time we realise, its too late and very little can be done. Good corporate governance and ethics are not just meant for the mission and vision statement, but is the very fabric of an organisation, and everyone in the organisation is responsible for it.

Companies should encourage whistle blowers; recognise them for their act and protect their anonymity if they wish to.

And when the integrity of the organisation, ethics or good corporate governance is  flouted, objection must be raised, because for all you know, that one act of objection can save your company from certain doom.